Global Health

Quality healthcare for all citizens is the foundation of any country’s development and prosperity. More than four decades of significant and sustained U.S. investments have modernized Egypt’s health system, dramatically improved maternal and child health, and wiped out diseases that once devastated the population.

Beginning in the 1970s, the Government of Egypt partnered with USAID to implement a systematic approach to develop healthier Egyptian families. Decreasing the frequency of births, as well as increasing access to timely medical care, reduced maternal mortality rates by 78% and infant deaths by 88%. Massive USAID investments resulted in modernized hospitals and clinics across the country and built the clinical skills of tens of thousands of health workers.  U.S. support of billions of dollars in clean water and sanitation systems also contributed to transforming the health of Egyptians, bringing the child survival rate to 98%.  USAID also worked closely with the government to end polio–Egypt’s last case was recorded in 2004–and to control schistosomiasis, a dangerous parasitic disease that had once infected as many as half of rural Egyptians.

Current USAID efforts are helping the Government of Egypt to further increase access to quality voluntary family planning and to mitigate and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

CURRENT PROGRAMS

STRENGTHENING EGYPT’S FAMILY PLANNING PROGRAM: The Government of Egypt identified population growth as one of its biggest challenges and has committed to strengthening voluntary family planning and reproductive health services.  USAID provides support, technical assistance, and training for the Ministry of Health and Population staff to improve the quality of voluntary family planning services and information.  USAID also works with private sector partners, such as pharmacists and apparel manufacturers, to provide training on family planning service provision and peer mentoring for factory workers.

Implementing Partner: John Snow, Inc.; Life of Project: December 2017 – December 2024; Total USAID Funding: $27.9 million; Governorates: Aswan, Assiut, Beni Suef, Fayoum, Giza, Luxor, Minya, Qena, Sohag, and in marginalized areas in Cairo and Alexandria.

SUPPORTING EGYPT’S EFFORTS TO COMBAT COVID-19: USAID supports the Egyptian government’s efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 by strengthening the health system in disease prevention, detection, and response. Through this program, USAID increases the capacity of the health system to adhere to infection prevention and control measures; enhances existing COVID-19 surveillance and response systems at the Ministry of Health and Population’s Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit; strengthens the referral systems for COVID-19 cases; and improves COVID-19 case management to include testing and diagnosis, contact tracing,and scaling up laboratories. Activities are implemented in both the Ministry of Health and Population and university hospitals and will be expanded to private and non-governmental (NGO) facilities. 

Implementing Partner: FHI 360; Life of Project: July 2020 – February 2024; Total USAID Funding: $4.7 million; Governorates: Alexandria, Aswan, Asyut, Beni Suef, Cairo, Dakahlia, Damietta, Faiyum, Gharbia, Giza, Ismailia, Kafr El Sheikh, Luxor, Matruh, Minya, Monufia, Port Said, Qalyubia, Qena, Red Sea, Sharqia, Sohag

SUPPORTING URGENT NEEDS OF EGYPT’S COVID-19 RESPONSE: Through this program, USAID supports Egypt’s national efforts in response to COVID-19 to prevent and limit its spread in Egypt, reduce rates of morbidity and mortality, and increase vaccination coverage.  USAID is helping get shots in arms by providing accurate and reliable COVID-19 vaccine information and training health workers in vaccine delivery, safety, and counseling.

Implementing Partner: World Health Organization; Life of Project: March 2022 - March 2023; Total USAID Funding: $5.05 million; Governorates: Nationwide