Snapshot review of Two World Bank COVID-19 Health support programs in Egypt
Abstract
The study aims to provide a snapshot review of status of implementation of two World Bank
COVID-19 loans, the first as part of the “Transforming Egypt’s Healthcare System” project, under
its contingent emergency response component (CERC), and the second is the “COVID-19
Emergency Response” loan which is part of a world series of fast-track loans granted by the World
Bank to help countries combat the pandemic. The study focuses on the latter project significantly
more than the former, as the former lacks information beyond the initial press release. The study
relied on a methodical comparative approach, grievance trials and evaluation, a desk review aided
by cross-referenced media monitoring, and an initial contextual study. The study found that Egypt
was comparatively behind other countries that received similar loans world-wide.
Recommendations include intensifying the information sharing process with civil society as per
the SEP.
Study questions
The COVID-19 pandemic arrived in Egypt during the emergence of a newly ratified law on health
insurance.
In its quest to support the Egyptian government in its health sector response to COVID-19, the
World bank activated the Contingency Emergency Response Component of its Transforming
Egypt’s Healthcare System project that was approved in 2018, with $7.2 million to fund
emergency response activities related to COVID-19.1 A month later, in May 2020, the Bank also
approved $50m for Egypt’s COVID-19 response2.
Understanding how these programs are progressing, the effects of these programs, the
repercussions on the health and wellbeing of their target stakeholders and drawing lessons from
these stories will help in ensuring an accountable implementation of the programs and
identifying future challenges, opportunities, and pitfalls to avoid during the realization of the health
insurance law that promises a comprehensive health insurance coverage to all Egyptians and as
the COVID-19 pandemic progresses.
This study therefore aims at addressing the following questions regarding these two World Bank
support programs:
1
“Egypt: World Bank Provides US$7.9 Million in Support of Coronavirus Emergency Response,” April 2,
2020. World Bank. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2020/04/02/egypt-world-bankprovides-us79-million-in-support-of-coronavirus-covid-19-emergency-response.
2
“Egypt: World Bank Provides US$ 50 Million in Support of Coronavirus Emergency Response under
New Fast-Track Facility,” May 17, 2020. World Bank . https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/pressrelease/2020/05/17/egypt-world-bank-provides-us-50-million-in-support-of-coronavirus-emergencyresponse-under-new-fast-track-facility.
1