WHO, UK Join Forces to Support Palestinian Patients Receiving Treatment in Egypt

The World Health Organization (WHO) in Egypt has inked a new £1 million funding agreement with the Government of the United Kingdom to provide high-quality medical services for patients and the injured evacuated from Gaza to receive treatment in Egypt.

According to a statement recently issued by WHO Egypt, the new funding agreement aims to assist approximately 4,000 individuals, including patients with chronic conditions, who have been evacuated from Gaza to receive medical care in Egypt.

This latest contribution from the UK government builds on a previous £1 million grant, bringing the total British support for the initiative to £2 million.

Earlier this year, a joint delegation from WHO Egypt and the British Embassy in Cairo visited Al-Arish General Hospital—one of the key referral centers treating patients from Gaza. During the visit, the delegation met with Palestinian patients, engaged with healthcare workers, and held discussions with officials from Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population to evaluate the hospital’s critical needs.

“Egypt has received the highest number of injured patients from Gaza seeking specialized treatment and continues to offer them medical services on par with Egyptian citizens,” said Dr. Naeema Al-Gasseer, WHO Representative in Egypt. “With care being delivered across 170 hospitals in 24 governorates, we deeply value our enduring partnership with the United Kingdom. This additional £1 million will further strengthen our support to the Ministry of Health and Population, ensuring that patients from Gaza receive the lifesaving care they urgently need. Ultimately, peace remains the true remedy. WHO renews its call for the protection of health facilities in Gaza, unimpeded humanitarian aid access, and, above all, an immediate and lasting ceasefire.”

In turn, British Ambassador to Egypt Gareth Bayley echoed the sentiment, stating: “Egypt has played a crucial role in supporting those affected by the crisis in Gaza. The United Kingdom is proud to partner with Egypt and WHO in this vital, lifesaving work. Whether through funding medical care in Egypt or treating patients in the UK, our shared commitment is clear: to ensure that the injured and the most vulnerable receive the urgent care they deserve.”

Since November 2023, Egypt has received and treated thousands of injured and ill individuals from Gaza. Throughout the crisis, WHO has collaborated closely with Egypt’s Ministry of Health and other partners to boost the national health system’s readiness and capacity. To date, WHO has delivered more than $8 million worth of medical supplies to hospitals across Egypt and trained nearly 3,000 healthcare professionals in emergency response and psychosocial support.