Egyptian Doctors in the Eyes of the Government: From Accusations of Negligence to Repression and Arrests

Statement by the Revolutionary Socialists

While countries and their citizens around the world honor healthcare teams for their tireless efforts in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, the Egyptian Prime Minister made provocative statements accusing Egyptian doctors of negligence in fighting the virus and holding them responsible for the increasing death toll.

The Doctors’ Syndicate rejected these statements, issued a strongly worded statement, and called for a press conference to respond to the Prime Minister. Police forces surrounded the Syndicate’s headquarters early in the morning, preventing its board members from entering the building, which forced the organizers to postpone the conference.

Preventing the press conference was not the only assault on doctors by the government. On June 25, police arrested Dr. Mohamed Moataz El-Fawal, a doctor and union activist, from his home in Zagazig after he demanded on Facebook that the Prime Minister apologize for his statements. The Public Prosecution included him in Case No. 558 of 2020, accusing him of joining an illegal group, spreading false news, and misusing social media.

The Revolutionary Socialists salute the medical team members who are facing the pandemic amid insufficient public health spending, a lack of protective equipment, and other inhumane working conditions. They demand that the Prime Minister apologize for his disgraceful statements, immediately release the detained doctor Mohamed Moataz El-Fawal, and stop police interference in syndicates.