The Egyptian government will begin supplying about 64 million citizens with protective masks to help limit the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, according to an official statement.
Supply Minister Ali Mosseilhi said the masks will be offered at two per ration card, adding that 250,000 masks will be offered on 1 July and that this number will reach 19 million masks by the end of the month.
Mosseilhi explained that the set price of the masks was determined after careful consideration of several offers. The government negotiated with the supplier and they agreed on providing masks at the price of EGP8.5 for the end consumer.
However, the Egyptian minister indicated that other types of face masks will be supplied at a price range between EGP6 and EGP10, while ensuring quality is maintained.
He stressed that all masks meet the technical specifications as approved by the Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality, which falls under the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Meanwhile, Minister of Local Development, Major General Mahmoud Shaarawy met with Minister of Health Hala Zayed and the two discussed a plan to boost the efficiency of local health facilities.
Shaarawy announced that the ministry has compiled a list of needed medical devices and supplies for the health facilities to help them combat the pandemic.
He confirmed that the Upper Egypt Local Development Program (UELDP) has received $500 million in funding from the World Bank and a $457 million contribution from the Egyptian government.
He detailed that EGP120 million will be provided to support health facilities in Sohag and Qena, which will be used to help both governorates combat the coronavirus pandemic.
Zayed announced, in turn, that a technical committee has been formed to manage donations received by the Ministry of Health. She explained that this committee will determine expenses based on actual needs and will provide the best medical service for all patients.
She pointed out that the ministry provided hospitals that treat suspected coronavirus cases with 31 new CT scans and 700 artificial respirators.
