Egypt has signed a trilateral cooperation agreement worth $3.38 million with the Government of Japan and the World Health Organization to strengthen emergency medical services and enhance hospital preparedness amid pressures on the healthcare system from regional humanitarian crises. The signing was witnessed by Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, in the presence of Japanese Ambassador to Cairo Iwai Fumio, UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt Elena Panova, and WHO Representative in Egypt Naeema Abid. The project focuses on three main pillars: supplying essential medical equipment, training healthcare professionals, and improving readiness in border governorates.
Egypt has signed a trilateral cooperation agreement worth $3.38 million with the Government of Japan and the World Health Organization to strengthen emergency medical services and enhance hospital preparedness. The agreement addresses mounting pressures on Egypt's healthcare system due to regional humanitarian crises, particularly in Gaza. It was signed on February 16, 2026, and witnessed by Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, alongside Japanese Ambassador to Cairo Iwai Fumio, UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt Elena Panova, and WHO Representative in Egypt Naeema Abid.
Abdel Ghaffar stated that Egypt was among the first countries to respond to the Gaza humanitarian crisis, receiving thousands of wounded and critically ill patients who required complex surgical procedures and specialized treatment. He noted that more than 90,000 comprehensive medical examinations have been conducted through the Rafah border crossing since the crisis began. Egypt's healthcare system has mobilized extensive resources, preparing around 170 hospitals across 24 governorates with over 13,000 inpatient beds and nearly 2,000 intensive care unit beds. Approximately 63,000 medical personnel, including doctors and nurses, have been deployed to support emergency operations.
The project is structured around three main pillars: supplying essential medical equipment to hospitals involved in emergency response plans; training healthcare professionals in advanced critical-care protocols; and improving hospital readiness, especially in border governorates, to provide specialized care to injured individuals and displaced populations.
Abdel Ghaffar emphasized that the cooperation with Japan and the WHO reflects a shared international responsibility to support countries bearing significant humanitarian and health burdens. He called for sustained global backing to ensure the continuity of healthcare services and reinforce health system resilience during crises.
WHO Representative Naeema Abid praised Egypt's "exceptional solidarity" in delivering healthcare services to humanitarian cases, describing the agreement as a model of effective international partnership in supporting national health systems during emergencies.
Ambassador Iwai reaffirmed Japan's commitment to Egypt's healthcare sector, particularly with the resumption of medical evacuation operations through the Rafah crossing. He said the initiative aims to enhance the capacity of Egypt's health system and expand support to beneficiaries, including Palestinians, Sudanese nationals, and other vulnerable groups.