The Ministry of Health signed a protocol of cooperation with the National Bank of Egypt and Banque Misr, with the aim of supporting the health sector and the “White Army” of Egyptian physicians fighting COVID-19.
Dr. Hala Zayed - Minister of Health - stressed the importance of the collaboration of all state institutions in this crisis, which will greatly contribute to Egypt's overcoming of the pandemic and reducing its impact and repercussions at all levels. Dr. Zayed praised the vital role played by both NBE and Banque Misr amid the crisis in light of the protocol, representing the synergy and cooperation of all state institutions and civil society organizations to support the requirements of the health sector.
On his part, Mr. Hisham Okasha - Chairman of NBE – stated that the Bank is keen on continuing to provide all possible support to contribute with state agencies in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and mitigating its consequences, while supporting Egypt’s White Army in its historical role in confronting the virus and protecting the people of Egypt. Mr. Okasha pointed out that NBE was one of the first to initiate efforts in this regard, stressing that the societal role assumed by the Bank attaches great importance and priority to the health sector, which is currently facing a major challenge until the safe passing of this crisis. He stressed that this sector is of the utmost importance to the life of each and every Egyptian citizen. Okasha reiterated that NBE’s contributions since the start of the crisis amounted to EGP 750 million, directed to health purposes by providing the necessary devices, preparing places for isolation and supporting medical teams. This is in addition to supporting the various groups affected by the crisis, out of the total contributions made by the Bank, which amounted to EGP 8 billion over the last six years. Such assistance was granted in light of the Bank’s commitment to clear standards that ensure the highest levels of effectiveness and achieve the desired effect.
Mohamed El-Etreby - President of the Federation of Egyptian Banks and Chairman of the Board of Banque Misr - added that Banque Misr is always keen on playing a pioneering and pivotal role in the field of social responsibility, being one of the pillars for achieving sustainable development and to contribute to the comprehensive development of various sectors of society. This especially targets the areas of health and education, the support of the most deserving villages, women breadwinners projects and everything that relates to human development. The Bank is also keen on supporting the state’s efforts in all developmental areas, especially in the field of health and education, which the state strives to upgrade and improve. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, Banque Misr has partaken in addressing the possible effects of the spread of the virus; and its contributions to this effect totaled more than EGP 600 million since the onset of the crisis. The Bank’s total contributions in the field of social responsibility during the fiscal year 2019/2020 amounted to about EGP 1.4 billion and totaled more than EGP 3.2 billion during the past five years.
Dr. Khaled Mujahid - adviser to the Minister of Health and Population for Media Affairs and official MOH spokesman - said that a cooperation protocol was signed between the Ministry and both NBE and Banque Misr to support the health sector requirements, at an amount of EGP 60 million. Dr. Mujahid asserted the allocation of this amount towards the purchase of a number of CT scanners, for the benefit of hospitals designated to receive infected and suspected cases of infection, as these devices are used to diagnose those infected with COVID-19.
