Latest news with #Abdel-Ghaffar
Al-Ahram Weekly
27-03-2025
- Health
- Al-Ahram Weekly
MPs address doctors' concerns - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
MPs gave the thumbs up to the controversial Medical Liability and Patient Protection law on Tuesday. The approval came only after MPs in coordination with Health Minister Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar addressed complaints received from the Doctors Syndicate over the draft bill. Abdel-Ghaffar pointed out that though the bill had been approved by the Senate in December without changing controversial articles that stipulated detention, imprisonment, and hefty fines for doctors in cases involving negligence and malpractice, parliament intervened to amend the articles in coordination with the Health Ministry and Chairman of the Doctors Syndicate Osama Abdel-Hai. As a result, Abdel-Ghaffar said, the law strikes a balance between protecting the rights of doctors and patients in accordance with the provisions of the constitution. Abdel-Hai indicated that the Doctors Syndicate had rejected the law as approved by the Senate on the grounds that it imposed pretrial detention, prison sentences, and hefty fines for medical errors. Speaker Hanafi Gebali said the parliament 'was keen to conduct a fruitful dialogue with the Doctors Syndicate and other state health authorities to respond to doctors' demands and address their concerns. My message to doctors in Egypt is that you now have a law that can achieve your ambitions, preserve your rights and ensure the safety of patients at the same time,' Gebali said. He added that 'in its current form, the law aims to create a safe environment for medical staff and provide legal protection for patients at the same time.' Abdel-Ghaffar indicated that the collaboration between MPs, the Health Ministry and the Doctors Syndicate resulted in a version that had numerous gains, and a clear text that was drafted to define medical errors which occur only when a physician violates established professional principles. 'A physician is obligated to provide care based on the patient's health, following established scientific principles and agreed upon medical procedures,' Abdel-Ghaffar said. Upon an amendment submitted by MP Karim Badr Helmi, parliament decided to delete words like 'negligence, recklessness, and lack of caution' from the definition of 'gross medical error'. The final definition of Article 11 now states that 'a gross medical error is a mistake of such severity that it results in certain harm. This includes, in particular, committing a medical error under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other psychotropic substances, or refraining from assisting someone who has been the victim of a medical error or from requesting assistance for him/her, despite being able to do so at the time of the incident, or deliberately practising the profession outside the scope of the specialty and in non-emergency situations.' MPs also amended articles to differentiate between 'normal' and 'gross medical errors'. Article 1 (Clause 10) now states that a normal medical error is one which does not align with established medical principles or violates the ethics and traditions of medical professions, as outlined in relevant laws and charters issued by the Egyptian Health Council. Head of the House's Health Committee Ashraf Hatem indicated that the revised draft states that a Supreme Committee for Medical Liability and Patient Safety shall be established, reporting to the prime minister and shall include members from medical and health institutions. The Supreme Committee shall meet every month upon an invitation from its chairman whenever necessary. Article 10 states that the Supreme Committee shall be responsible for examining complaints filed against medical service providers or facilities regarding medical errors, establishing a database for medical errors in cooperation with unions and relevant authorities, and coordinating with unions and relevant authorities to issue guidelines on raising awareness of the rights of medical service recipients and following up on their implementation. Hatem also highlighted that in response to the syndicate's demands, MPs agreed to eliminate two articles — 28 and 29 — imposing pretrial detention and prison sentences for medical errors in general which had 'sparked uproar among doctors and medical service providers'. Article 28 stated that medical service providers who commit a medical error resulting in harm to a patient will face up to one year in prison and/or a fine of up to LE50,000. Punishment will increase to a maximum of two years in prison and/or a fine of up to LE300,000 if the medical error resulted in permanent disability, if the crime occurred as a result of a serious medical error, or if the service provider was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Article 29 imposed pretrial detention for crimes committed by medical service providers during the provision of medical services. MPs decided to amend Article 27 to reduce the fine for medical errors, lowering it from a maximum of LE1 million to a maximum of LE100,000. The article, however, maintained prison sentences for gross medical errors. It now states that 'anyone who commits a medical error that causes real harm to the service recipient shall be punished with a fine of not less than LE10,000 and not more than LE100,000 (instead of not less than LE100,000 and not more than LE1 million). The penalty shall be imprisonment for a period of not less than one year and not more than five years and a fine of not less than LE500,000 and not more than LE2 million, or one of these two penalties if the crime occurred as a result of a gross medical error. Also responding to the doctors' demands, MPs decided to amend Article 20 of the law to stipulate that a government insurance fund be established to insure against risks and damages resulting from medical errors, directly or through contracting with an insurance company. The fund may also contribute to covering other damages that hit the service recipient during or because of the provision of the medical service. Hatem indicated that the fund will cover all doctors working in Egypt, whether Egyptian or non-Egyptian, and will be insured against risks. Chairman of the Doctors Syndicate Abdel-Hai said the amended law largely responds to the demands of the medical community and strikes a balance between the rights and duties of doctors and health providers on the one hand and patients on the other. 'The enactment of this law was long overdue as most world countries have had such laws for 50 years, and that the Gulf states, for example, had enacted them 15 years ago,' said Abdel-Hai, noting that MPs addressed four concerns: the first includes designating the role of the Supreme Committee for Medical Liability as the technical expert for the investigating authorities and courts. The second, he added, is that the law clearly distinguishes between gross negligence and a standard medical error. 'The third is that Article 27 was amended to reduce financial penalties, while the fourth is that an insurance fund will be created to cover damages resulting from medical errors,' he said. * A version of this article appears in print in the 27 March, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
17-03-2025
- Health
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt, Jordan begin training Palestinian police for Gaza: FM Abdelatty - Foreign Affairs
Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty said Monday that Egypt and Jordan have commenced training Palestinian police officers for deployment in the Gaza Strip as per the Gaza reconstruction plan. Abdelatty spoke at a meeting in Cairo with over 100 foreign ambassadors and international representatives, alongside Health Minister Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar. The meeting focused on the reconstruction of Gaza and included a presentation on the Arab-Islamic plan, which was ratified at the Extraordinary Arab Summit on 4 March. He outlined a proposal for the UN Security Council (UNSC) to authorize international peacekeeping forces with clear mandates in Gaza and the West Bank via resolution to support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. The UNSC resolution is part of the Arab-Islamic plan and seeks to enhance security and aid state building, according to a draft of the plan obtained by Ahram Online. A technocratic committee will oversee Gaza for six months and the return of the Palestinian Authority (PA) to manage the recovery process while Palestinian police forces are trained in Egypt and Jordan, per the plan. Abdelatty emphasized that a sustained ceasefire and Palestinian ownership of the recovery process are key conditions for the plan's success. The $53 billion reconstruction plan has garnered regional and international support as it stands in contrast to a previous proposal by US President Donald Trump, which suggested forcibly displacing Palestinians — a position Trump later reversed. Egyptian sources told Al Arabiya the US will respond to the Arab plan by the end of March , after requesting a review of potential Gaza leaders, excluding those linked to Hamas. Cairo is also organizing a conference to secure funding for the reconstruction effort. Health Disaster Abdel-Ghaffar stated that Egypt has provided more than 107,000 Palestinians with medical treatment since the start of the genocidal Israeli war on Gaza, at a cost of over $570 million, according to the statement. He also highlighted the dire situation in Gaza, where medical supplies are scarce and more than 70 percent of health facilities have been damaged. Abdel-Ghaffar outlined Egypt's proposals to rebuild and strengthen Gaza's health infrastructure, including projected costs. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Watani
17-02-2025
- Health
- Watani
Health Minister visits injured Palestinians in Egypt for treatment
At the Rafah Crossing on the Egypt-Gaza border, Egypt's Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar inspected the health services offered to injured Palestinians. Accompanying the Health Minister were Maya Morsi, Minister of Social Solidarity; Khaled Megawer, Governor of North Sinai; a delegation from the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States; and another delegation from the European Union (EU); in addition to senior government officials. Dr Abdel-Ghaffar spoke to the Palestinian patients, making sure they are receiving all medical care needed, starting with their crossing into Egypt then their move into the appropriate hospitals. President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi had given specific directives that injured Palestinians should be provided with fully adequate health support. Once the injured cross into Egypt, they undergo quick preliminary medical assessment in mobile clinics equipped with laboratories; and X-ray, ultrasound, and radiology devices. They are then moved, according to their health condition, to specialised hospitals. Dr Abdel-Ghaffar gave directions that all medical supplies needed for cardiac, orthopaedic, and cancer patients should be made available, also prosthetic limbs for cases that undergo amputations. He also ensured that a team of therapists and psychiatrists are on hand to offer psychological support to the patients who more often than not suffer from trauma on account of the war conditions they lived through. The Health minister also checked that all mandatory vaccines for children from newborns to 12-year-old are on hand; including vaccines for polio, measles, and German measles; vaccination certificate are issued and registered electronically. Watani International 16 February 2025 Comments comments Tags: Angele RedaGaza Warinjured Palestinians moved to Egypt
Al-Ahram Weekly
15-02-2025
- Health
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Arab League pledges $400,000 in humanitarian aid for Gaza - Foreign Affairs
The Arab League has pledged $400,000 in humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip and two ambulances, Egypt's Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar announced Saturday. Abdel-Ghaffar said Egypt would also provide ambulances to transport injured Palestinians and deliver urgent medical care, reiterating the Egyptian government's commitment to supporting Palestinians facing the current humanitarian crisis. "We must address the needs of the Palestinian people," he said, emphasising the importance of continued humanitarian and medical support for those in Gaza. Abdel-Ghaffar made the remarks during a tour of Egyptian Red Crescent warehouses in Arish, where relief supplies for Gaza are received and sorted. Social Solidarity Minister Maya Morsi and an Arab League delegation, including Assistant Secretary-General Hossam Zaki and Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Social Affairs Sector, accompanied him. The delegation was briefed on how aid arrives – by land, sea to Arish port, and air to Arish International Airport – and how volunteers prepare and transport it by truck to Gaza via the Rafah crossing. Egypt has received 12,000 wounded and sick Gazans, including 2,500 children, since the ceasefire began on 19 January, North Sinai governor Khaled Megawer stated on Thursday. The 15-month war killed more than 48,000 Gazans and wounded over 110,000, most of whom were women and children, and left Gaza's healthcare system collapsed. Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
11-02-2025
- Health
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Healthcare for all by 2030 - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt is expanding its Universal Health Insurance System to ensure that all citizens have health coverage by 2030 Enhancing private investments in providing universal health insurance is essential, Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli said this week while addressing the annual forum of the Universal Health Insurance Authority (UHIA). The vision adopted by the government is that providing health services is not a luxury but a fundamental right for every citizen, Madbouli said. Real development can only be achieved when individuals enjoy a dignified and healthy life, in line with Egypt's Vision 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), he said. Held under the theme of 'Pioneering Private Investment for Sustainable Universal Health Coverage', the forum aimed to boost public-private partnerships to encourage private investment in the healthcare system and accomplish comprehensive and sustainable health coverage for everyone. During the first phase of the implementation of Egypt's Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS) in six governorates, the cost of preparing and enhancing the efficiency of health facilities exceeded LE51 billion to cover six million citizens out of a total of 107 million, the prime minister explained. He added that this demonstrated the expected future expenditure for implementing the remaining phases of the system to cover all citizens with healthcare services. It is anticipated that approximately LE115 billion will be spent to implement the system among the six governorates in the second phase. Currently, 54 per cent of health expenditure comes out of the patient's pocket, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar said. He added that the government covers 38 per cent of the cost and the rest is covered by non-governmental organisations and others. 'The government is making every effort to speed up the process of implementing the Universal Health Insurance System by 2030,' said the minister, adding that the system's second phase will begin in July. According to Abdel-Ghaffar, the full implementation of the system is extremely important for Egypt and its future because it will ensure fairness and non-discrimination in healthcare services. 'It is true that the percentage of healthcare expenses paid for out-of-pocket by individuals in Egypt is currently higher than the amount spent by the government. But the Government percentage is expected to increase over time due to the expansion of the system,' Abdel-Ghaffar said. The UHIS was launched in July 2019 by President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi in Port Said to introduce a comprehensive healthcare system for 100 million Egyptians in accordance with international standards. In February 2021, President Al-Sisi initiated the trial operation of the UHIS in three governorates as part of its first phase, officially launching the system in Ismailia, Luxor, and South Sinai. Abdel-Ghaffar pointed to the importance of encouraging private investments in the healthcare sector, due to certain challenges, primarily population growth. 'Egypt's bed capacity is still below global standards. While the international benchmark is 28 beds per 10,000 citizens, Egypt currently has only 12 beds per 10,000 citizens. There is a need to add thousands of hospital beds in the coming years,' Abdel-Ghaffar said, adding that a single hospital costs the government LE3 billion and requires private-sector investment. He said that the government is committed to increasing the participation of the private sector in the development of Egypt's healthcare infrastructure. The share of private-sector hospital beds and facilities has increased significantly, reflecting its growing role in the healthcare system, Abdel-Ghaffar pointed out. The share of private hospital beds rose from 21 per cent in 2011 to 29.3 per cent in 2022, while private hospitals now account for 63.3 per cent of the total, up from 59 per cent in 2011. 'This growth highlights the rising confidence in private healthcare services and their contribution to meeting the increasing demand for medical care. The private sector also plays a crucial role in Egypt's pharmaceutical market, accounting for approximately 82 per cent of total market share in recent years,' Abdel-Ghaffar said. He also spoke about national healthcare projects implemented over the past 10 years, which have totalled 1,300 projects, including 20 projects in 2024 alone, with a budget exceeding LE35 billion across 11 governorates. Abdel-Ghaffar pointed to legislative efforts made by the government to encourage private-sector investments by providing highly facilitated loans in coordination with the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE). Further facilities include the public utilities concession law, which facilitates the establishment, management, operation, and development of healthcare facilities, as well as the Investment Incentives Model recently approved by the cabinet. Ehab Abu Aish, vice chair of the board of the UHIA, stated that Egypt has achieved significant progress in the healthcare sector in recent years through health initiatives that have brought about a fundamental shift in disease control, expanded health protection for the most vulnerable groups, and led to the implementation of the UHIS. This system is a great change in the management and financing of healthcare services, as it is based on the principles of solidarity and financial sustainability, he said. 'There are several challenges that still exist, including changing demographics, rising disease rates, and economic difficulties. Therefore, we must maximise the utilisation of all available resources to ensure the continuous development of the healthcare system,' Abu Aish added. More than 27 per cent of private healthcare providers have joined the UHIS, thus reflecting the system's success in gaining the trust of healthcare providers. 'This public-private partnership plays a crucial role in achieving universal health coverage, adhering to quality standards that ensure the best possible services for all citizens,' he said. The ministries of planning and finance are responsible for developing the necessary infrastructure to support the system, he explained, while the UHIA purchases healthcare services from both public and private entities. The UHIA signed several cooperation protocols and agreements to strengthen strategic partnerships and enhance its services during the recent forum. The agreements included a collaboration with the Ministry of Social Solidarity, E-Health, and E-Finance. This agreement enables the use of social support cards, such as Takaful and Karama welfare cards, to verify eligibility for healthcare services. It also facilitates data exchange to ensure accuracy and efficiency in delivering services to beneficiaries. E-Health is an Egyptian technology and digital connector for the health, medical, and insurance sectors, and E-Finance is a digital operations provider that provides digital services for government payments. Another cooperation agreement was signed with the National Bank of Egypt (NBE) and the Doctors Syndicate that supports healthcare providers by offering financial assistance for the purchase of medical equipment and supplies for clinics, medical centres, and hospitals wishing to join the system. There was another support and operations agreement with E-Health to enhance the digital infrastructure of the system and improve the efficiency of healthcare-service management. This will ensure technological integration across various entities involved in the system. Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with healthcare firm B-Well Holding and health insurance provider Limitless Care. These aim to produce medical awareness content via the MedSolto platform, a medical platform connecting doctors to facilitate the sharing of experience and knowledge, to educate doctors and pharmacists about the UHIS, and to promote the integration of the healthcare sector into the system. MoUs were also signed with GlobeMed, a private health insurance company, and Yodawy, a software company that offers medication delivery, management, and insurance services for patients, corporates, and health insurance companies. The agreements focus on supporting digital transformation and developing a standardised digital model. They aim to enhance healthcare and pharmaceutical services through a unified digital framework, ensuring efficiency and consistency. Several agreements were signed to enhance the skills and expertise of medical personnel with pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca, Astellas, Roche, and AbbVie. These agreements focus on specialised training programmes and workshops in health economics, health technology assessment, the development of treatment protocols, service package components, and advancing payment systems. * A version of this article appears in print in the 13 February, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Short link:
