The World Bank (WB) is inviting Egypt to play a central role in a new global initiative aimed at expanding basic healthcare coverage to 1.5 billion people, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, according to Stephane Guimbert, the Bank's Regional Director for Egypt, Yemen and Djibouti. Guimbert presented the proposal during a meeting on Tuesday with Egypt's Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Rania Al Mashat. The initiative aims to advance universal health access and acknowledges Egypt's Universal Health Insurance system as one of the region's most ambitious social protection programmes. The two sides also discussed strengthening cooperation on Egypt's broader economic development agenda, including support for industrial growth, foreign direct investment, and human capital development. Updates were reviewed on existing World Bank projects such as the universal health insurance programme, rural sanitation services, and the Cairo-Alexandria trade logistics corridor. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: M. S. Salama
