‘Negligence’ of Cairo ministers blamed for deaths of doctors

EGYPTIAN doctors have accused the country’s government of failing to shield them against coronavirus and urged ministers to take “full responsibility” for the deaths of their colleagues as they warned the healthcare system was at risk of collapsing.

In a rare case of public criticism of the Egyptian government, which has mounted a crackdown on media outlets and political dissent, the Egyptian Medical Syndicate accused the health ministry of “negligence”.

“The syndicate is warning that the health system could completely collapse, leading to a catastrophe affecting the entire country if the health ministry’s negligence and lack of action towards medical staff is not rectified,” said the doctors’ union in a statement seen by broadcaster Al-jazeera.

“The EMS holds the health ministry responsible for the mounting deaths and infections among doctors due to its negligence ... that is tantamount to death through a dereliction of duty.”

Egypt, which has the highest population in the Arab world, has recorded nearly 18,000 cases of coronavirus and around 780 deaths.

According to the union, at least 19 doctors have died from the virus and 350 have been infected.

There are also reports of doctors at one Egyptian hospital posting resignation letters on Facebook, though the hospital’s director said they had not received any formal resignations.

Egyptian doctors say they have not had enough personal protective equipment, coronavirus tests or beds for staff who have fallen ill.

However, Hala Zayed, the Egyptian health minister, defended Cairo’s management of the pandemic. She said hospitals had been allocated a floor with 20 beds for staff who had been infected with the virus.

Ms Zayed also denied reports that 19 doctors had died after contracting Covid-19, and said that only 11 had died.