World Bank pledges USD 530 mn to improve Egypt’s healthcare system: The World Bank’s executive board approved on Thursday a five-year, USD 530 mn program to support Egypt’s healthcare system, according to an Investment and International Cooperation Ministry statement (pdf). The project will include “expanding family planning services, scaling up [Egypt’s] groundbreaking Hepatitis C program, and supporting the new Universal Health Insurance System,” according to a World Bank release. Under the program, the Health Ministry will be responsible for improving services at primary healthcare facilities and hospitals and screen 35 mn people for Hepatitis C and another 20 mn adults for non-communicable diseases.