The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has instructed banks to increase support for national healthcare initiatives, raising the share of banks' Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending allocated to the health sector from 42% in 2025 to more than 50% the first quarter of 2026.
In a statement released on Sunday, July 5, 2026, the CBE said the funding has supported initiatives launched by the Health Ministry, the development of university hospitals, and the establishment and equipping of medical centers and hospitals specialized in the treatment of heart diseases, tumors, Alzheimer’s, burns and cancer.
The Central Bank and local banks have also backed the presidential initiative to support children with type 1 diabetes, known as "Our Diabetes Heroes", by providing continuous glucose monitoring devices that do not require finger-prick testing for children from low-income families.
Under the initiative, several banks will finance the first phase through the end of 2026, with additional glucose monitoring devices to be provided during the second phase. The statement added the Central Bank and local banks are also supporting the presidential initiative to eliminate waiting lists for critical surgeries by accelerating operations in partnership with the Health Ministry's Emergency Medical Fund.
The first phase has focused on high-demand procedures, including cardiac surgery, joint replacement and corneal transplants. A cooperation protocol has also been signed between the central bank and the fund to expand the number of beneficiaries over a three-year period beginning in 2026, while maintaining priority for the most urgent medical specialties.
The Central Bank stated that it has also supported the operation of intensive care complexes at Health Ministry hospitals, the equipment of Al-Mabra Hospital in Old Cairo, the development of the Fayoum Oncology Centre, and infrastructure upgrades at university hospitals, including the National Cancer Institute at Cairo University and Ain Shams University's Medical City.
It also contributed to the establishment of the Middle East and Africa's first specialized liver transplant center at Mansoura University. The Central Bank announced that its healthcare contributions also include support for specialized medical institutions such as the Magdi Yacoub Global Heart Centre in Sheikh Zayed City, the Ahl Masr Hospital for free burn treatment, including medical staff training, the Baheya Hospital in Sheikh Zayed City for breast cancer screening and treatment, and the development of the Abla El Kahlawy Hospital for Alzheimer's disease patients and the elderly with advanced medical technologies.