Egypt's High-Level Medical Committee, led by Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly, reports robust efforts in responding to citizens' medical pleas during Q3 2023.
By: Mohamed Zain
Mon, Oct. 2, 2023
Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, the Prime Minister of Egypt, presented a report on the significant efforts and work undertaken by the High-Level Medical Committee and the Relief Committee under the Cabinet's leadership during the third quarter of 2023.
The report was delivered by Dr. Hossam El Masry, the head of the committee and the medical advisor to the Cabinet.
In his report, Dr. Hossam El Masry highlighted the response of the Medical Relief Committee to approximately 3,209 medical pleas recorded on social media, news outlets, and local newspapers during this period. Additionally, cases were identified through medical caravans, parliamentary secretariats, and the Citizens' Service Office.
He emphasized that these cases were swiftly addressed, either by obtaining treatment decisions from the Prime Minister at the state's expense or by issuing decisions through specialized medical councils.
These decisions covered cases such as semi-matching marrow transplants, gamma knife procedures, and prosthetic surgeries for individuals with disabilities.
Dr. Hossam El Masry stated, "The High-Level Medical Committee and Relief Committee regularly respond to medical pleas from citizens. We establish contact with these cases, receive their medical reports from government, university, and military hospitals, and present them to the High-Level Medical Committee under the Cabinet.
This process aims to assess the urgency of these cases and provide the necessary medical services, contributing to the cost of treatment for priority cases under state care."
Furthermore, Dr. Hossam El Masry pointed out that the High-Level Medical Committee and Relief Committee collaborated with the "Hayat Kareema" Foundation and several civil society organizations to organize numerous medical caravans for villages covered by the "Hayat Kareema" presidential initiative, targeting the most underserved areas.
These caravans extended to most governorates across the country, with approximately 16,700 cases attended to during the third quarter of 2023.
Regarding semi-matching marrow transplants, the Chairman noted the continuous monitoring and direct tracking of such cases. Urgent treatment decisions funded by the state were issued by the Prime Minister to cover the treatment expenses of these cases.
Dr. Hossam El Masry also touched upon the issue of prosthetic devices, explaining that the High-Level Medical Committee and Relief Committee identify cases in need of prosthetic devices for people with disabilities resulting from accidents or other causes.
Decisions for state-funded treatment, including the installation of artificial limbs for such cases, were issued by the Prime Minister in collaboration with the Natural and Rehabilitation Medicine and Rheumatology Center for the Armed Forces.
Additionally, Dr. Hossam El Masry highlighted the gamma knife treatment file, indicating that cases requiring gamma knife therapy, particularly for tumor-related conditions, were monitored.
Special treatment decisions for gamma knife procedures were issued at the state's expense by the Prime Minister in collaboration with Al-Azhar University Hospital in Damietta and Nasser Institute. In the third quarter of 2023, a total of 584 gamma knife procedures were performed.
Regarding the shortage of certain medications, he explained that pleas related to the shortage of critical medications were closely monitored. In the third quarter of 2023, 317 pleas were recorded, and citizens were guided to sources for these medications or equivalent alternatives through coordination with the Egyptian Drug Authority's Medicine Shortage Division, the Health Insurance Authority, and emergency pharmacies.
Several decisions at the state's expense were also issued for medications included in state-funded treatment protocols through specialized medical councils. The Committee continued to coordinate certain cases outside the state's expense and health insurance coverage with relevant civil society organizations, including the "Dawa for All" Association.
In his report, the Chairman of the Relief Committee emphasized the continuous cooperation and coordination with civil society organizations and medical institutions to maximize the benefit of citizens from the services provided. He mentioned meetings held with various charitable associations, including the Shifa Bank Foundation, the Egypt for Good Association, the Good Makers Association, and the Dawa for All Foundation, to explore mechanisms to enhance collaboration between the two parties.
In conclusion, the Chairman of the Relief Committee showcased several case response models undertaken by the High-Level Medical Committee and Relief Committee, addressing cases from various sources.
Egypt's High-Level Medical Committee and Relief Committee, under the leadership of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, have shown unwavering commitment to addressing the healthcare needs of its citizens.
During the third quarter of 2023, these committees responded swiftly and comprehensively to thousands of medical pleas, covering a wide range of cases, from critical surgeries to the provision of essential medications.
Their cooperation with civil society organizations and medical institutions further underscores Egypt's dedication to ensuring quality healthcare for all its citizens.