The Doctors Syndicate has defended remarks made by its undersecretary Mona Mina, who claimed that doctors at public hospitals have orders to use the syringe more than once.
In a statement released on Sunday, the syndicate said: “Mona Mina’s talk was lengthy discussing problems of the health system. It warned against shortages in several kinds of medicines and medical requirements, which increase the suffering of the Egyptian patient. It also urged officials to take all necessary measures to resolve these problems.”
“During her talk," the statement went on, "there was one sentence at which the undersecretary declared that a doctor complained to her about oral orders from his hospital administration to use half of the amount of the syringe requirements per patients, in addition to using a syringe more than once for the same patient,.”
“Unfortunately, the syndicate noticed an unreasoned attack by some officials that focused on one sentence in her talk, in addition to challenging it. They forgot all about the main problems that concern the patients, which indicates clearly their intentions against the syndicate and its undersecretary; as well as their attempts to hide the real problems that face the Egyptian patient,” the statement said.
It went on saying “the syndicate believes that amid all the huge issues that face the health system, all of us should come together, encouraging all attempts at real reform to address all the serious problems that need serious discussion and real solutions; in order to offer suitable medical care to Egyptian patients at affordable prices.”
Last week, an official with the Health Ministry said that it will sue Doctors Syndicate Undersecretary Mona Mina over her remarks. Assistant Health Minister for Curative Medicine Ahmed Mohie Al-Qased said he tasked the legal affairs department to start legal procedures against Mina over the "syringes statement", which he described as "lies and unreasonable."
Al-Qased called on Mina to head to the prosecutor general's office and deliver any evidence that proves the authenticity of her claims, rather than spread confusion in society. He added that the ministry has a stockpile of medical supplies to ensure that the demand of hospitals is met for at least two years.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
