Egyptian Health Ministry Affirms Availability of COVID-19 Medicine, Treatment Protocols

Egyptians wearing face masks against COVID-19 queue up to vote on August 11, 2020 for a new senate in an upper house election. | Khaled Desouki/ AFP
Egyptians wearing face masks against COVID-19 queue up to vote on August 11, 2020 for a new senate in an upper house election. | Khaled Desouki/ AFP
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Egyptian Health Ministry Affirms Availability of COVID-19 Medicine, Treatment Protocols

Egyptians wearing face masks against COVID-19 queue up to vote on August 11, 2020 for a new senate in an upper house election. | Khaled Desouki/ AFP
Egyptians wearing face masks against COVID-19 queue up to vote on August 11, 2020 for a new senate in an upper house election. | Khaled Desouki/ AFP

The Egyptian Health Ministry has affirmed that COVID-19 medicine and treatment protocols for quarantined cases are available, noting that there is no need for panic buying of medicines.

As many as 890 patients were discharged from isolation hospitals after receiving necessary medical care, taking the number of recovered cases to 76,305 so far, according to a statement issued by the Health Ministry.

It added that 157 new coronavirus cases were registered, and 16 patients had died.

Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has followed up on the availability of drugs needed for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) under Egypt’s treatment protocol for the virus. Madbouly emphasized that he is constantly monitoring efforts to ensure the availability of drugs included in Egypt’s treatment protocol for the virus.

Dr. Hossam Al-Masry, medical adviser to the prime minister, said that the Medical Affairs Secretariat has been coordinating with the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) regarding medical supplies.

In August, the EDA has spent considerable effort to provide medical supplies related to the treatment protocol for the coronavirus. Masry added that these drugs have been made available by several pharmaceutical companies.

Dr. Tariq Al-Rifai, director of the Unified Governmental Complaints System at the Council of Ministers, revealed that the System received more than 8,000 complaints and requests related to the health field during August.

For the fifth month in a row, the System continued to receive complaints of citizens and COVID-19 suspects and patients.



Yemen Reopens its Embassy in Damascus

The Yemeni flag is raised at the embassy in Damascus. (Saba)
The Yemeni flag is raised at the embassy in Damascus. (Saba)
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Yemen Reopens its Embassy in Damascus

The Yemeni flag is raised at the embassy in Damascus. (Saba)
The Yemeni flag is raised at the embassy in Damascus. (Saba)

Yemen reopened its embassy in Damascus on Sunday after it was taken over by the Iran-backed Houthi militias since 2016 with the support of the now ousted Syrian regime.

Yemen’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mustafa al-Noman told Asharq Al-Awsat that the reopening of the mission marks a new chapter in relations with Syria “after years of severed ties caused by the regime.”

Ambassadors will soon be announced to help restore normal relations, he added.

Asked if there are discussions with Iran on Yemen restoring its embassy in Tehran, Noman confirmed that talks have been held to that end.

He said that the entire world, expect for Iran, recognizes the legitimate government in Yemen as the official representative of the Yemeni people.

“We are hoping for a positive gesture from Iran to put the past behind us,” he added.

Moreover, he stressed that it was “important during such a critical stage for all Arabs to agree on how to resolve crises and discuss common issues frankly and without delays that have taken up our time, efforts and resources.”

Noman underlined the “pioneering” role Saudi Arabia can play in the world and region in the coming phase under the leadership of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, given its political influence.

The reopening of the embassy took place at the directives of Yemeni Foreign Minister Dr. Shaya al-Zindani and his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani, reflecting the historic ties that bind their countries and peoples, said a Yemeni Foreign Ministry statement.

Mohammed Azzi Baakar was named charge d’affaires.

The reopening marks a historic moment in relations and underscores the role of the legitimate Yemeni government against “dark projects” - a reference to the Houthi militias’ agenda, said the ministry.

It hoped the move would kickstart a new chapter in cooperation with Syria in various fields.