Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly visited a number of local hospitals to show solidarity with Egyptian doctors and their syndicate following counter-accusations caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Medical Syndicate (Dar el-Hikma) announced Tuesday that 112 doctors had died of the coronavirus, noting that these numbers are based on the reports they receive from the families of the deceased, and do not include all deaths.
Madbouly toured a number of medical facilities in Aswan Governorate, south of the country, and expressed his appreciation to all the medical personnel and their efforts during the pandemic.
The Prime Minister visited Aswan Specialized Hospital where he reviewed the measures taken to treat coronavirus patients, as well as the availability of medical supplies, according to an official statement.
He met with the medical staff and praised their efforts. He later concluded his visit by writing in the hospital’s visiting log and posing for a family photo with the staff.
"I would like to express my thanks, appreciation and respect to all medical personnel who have carried out, and are still performing, their sacred duty in caring for coronavirus cases," Madbouly noted.
He stressed that the state prioritizes health, and aims to provide distinguished health services to all citizens of different governorates.
According to a government statement, Madbouly also met with some of the patients recovering from their COVID-19 infection.
The Prime Minister's tour included inspecting the developments at a local health unit as well, in preparation for implementing the comprehensive health insurance plan in the governorate.
Last month, the Medical Syndicate said the Ministry of Health did not provide the needed medical supplies to combat the coronavirus, noting that many of its members died because of “negligence.”
This prompted an urgent meeting between the Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Syndicate Hussein Khairy to discuss doctors’ demands regarding coronavirus prevention and care.
Madbouly vowed to meet all their needs and emphasized his willingness to personally intervene to resolve any issue swiftly.
However, a second crisis arose after Madbouly gave a statement saying some doctors were absent in some governorates, “which, in a way, led to cases worsening and deaths.”
The Syndicate condemned the Prime Minister’s statement, accusing him of blaming doctors for the country’s worsening epidemiological situation.
The Ministry of Health announced 931 new positive COVID-19 cases and 77 more fatalities on July 13, bringing the country’s total to 83,001 with 3,935 deaths since the outbreak of the virus.
Meanwhile, 556 new patients were discharged from quarantine and isolation hospitals.
