Cairo: Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Rania Mashat recently met with World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Hanan Balkhy, to discuss strategies for enhancing health policies in Egypt's 2026-2029 development plan.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the dialogue between the two officials focused on strengthening the collaboration between the Egyptian government and the WHO. Minister Mashat expressed her appreciation for the ongoing cooperation and emphasized her hope for further advancements in healthcare services, particularly through the implementation of the Universal Health Insurance Project.

Minister Mashat also elaborated on the ministry's responsibilities in crafting national economic and social plans and overseeing public investment. She highlighted the upcoming transition to a three-year development plan, which aims to improve service quality via evidence-based policymaking. Significantly, 45% of current public investment is allocated to human development sectors, including healthcare, as part of Egypt's national sustainable development financing framework.

The discussions further included WHO's 'Health in All Policies' approach, which seeks to incorporate health considerations across various sectors of government. Minister Mashat welcomed this initiative, noting its alignment with Egypt's planning model.

In response, Hanan Balkhy commended Egypt for its achievements in disease control, pharmaceutical production, and healthcare services. The meeting also covered coordination under the United Nations development cooperation framework, emphasizing the shared commitment to advancing health policies in Egypt.