Egypt to propose law to regulate government hospital leasing
Egypt”s Presidential Advisor for Health and Prevention Affairs Mohamed Awad Tag al-Din said that the draft law for leasing government hospitals and Qatar”s offer to operate the new National Cancer Institute in Sheikh Zayed is being meticulously studied at all levels.
During a phone interview with the Al-Hadath Al-Youm channel on Saturday, Tag al-Din added that the priority in all cases is serving citizens and providing them with healthcare.
The comprehensive health insurance system is based on government health institutions and full use of private hospitals is also provided, he explained, adding that the state”s priority is to provide comprehensive care to citizens by all available means.
In April, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly commented on the government”s intention to lease its hospitals to international centers and the fate of employees and workers.
Madbouly said that everyone agreed on providing the highest quality medical services to ordinary citizens at the lowest cost.
He explained that over time, many healthcare facilities have begun to deteriorate, continuing, “The issue is not just the facilities. I need international expertise to come and provide services here.”
The Prime Minister continued, “The agreement we made today brings the greatest hospital in Europe and one of the three largest cancer treatment centers in the world to Egypt in partnership with the Egyptian government.”
“The majority of treatment at this hospital will be free for Egyptian citizens. Is there anything wrong with that?”
The fate of employees and workers
Regarding claims that workers in these hospitals will be laid off after they are leased, Madbouly explained that even though controls will be put in place for the system, “This doesn”t mean I”m laying off the workers and employees. We”re putting in place a controlled and professional system to operate these facilities.”
“They”re talking about a specific number of workers who must be present in this system. So, what do we do with them? They”ll be transferred to another hospital, because we have a general shortage in medical facilities,” he said.
Source: Egypt Independent