The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has launched a new initiative to provide early detection and free treatment for breast cancer among female employees in the banking sector. The "Your Health is a Commitment" (Sehetak Amana) program, in collaboration with the Baheya Foundation, also includes awareness seminars and support services. The initiative aligns with the National Strategy for the Empowerment of Egyptian Women 2030, which prioritised women's healthcare. Ghada Tawfik, the CBE's Governor's Advisor for Corporate Social Responsibility, said the program reflects the bank's commitment to empowering women. "The CBE is placing particular emphasis on women working in the banking sector to reinforce their pivotal role in society and the economy," she said. A pilot phase of the initiative, which included medical checkups for CBE female employees, was launched several weeks ago. The program will be expanded to cover all women in the banking sector in coordination with all banks operating in Egypt. Jaylan Ahmed, CEO of the Baheya Foundation, praised the CBE's efforts and said the partnership is a first step toward increasing awareness of early breast cancer detection, which can boost recovery rates to over 98%. The initiative is part of the Central Bank of Egypt's broader push to support corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects, particularly in healthcare. The banking sector contributed nearly EGP 2bn to CSR projects in 2023, with about EGP1.1bn allocated to healthcare. This year, healthcare contributions have surged to EGP 1.5bn in the first half, compared to EGP 672m in the same period last year, a 223.2% increase. The banking sector, under the CBE's sponsorship, has also contributed to the presidential initiative to reduce hospital waiting lists, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and Egypt's Vision 2030. Baheya Foundation has conducted more than 1,600 awareness seminars across Egypt, reaching over 60,000 women in various institutions. With the opening of the second phase of Baheya's Hospital in Sheikh Zayed last March, the foundation aims to provide healthcare services to around half a million women annually.
