Egypt: Death of Al-Abasiri Reignites Controversy Over "Emergency Cases"

Al Haram Specialized Hospital 

Egypt: Death of Al-Abasiri Reignites Controversy Over "Emergency Cases"

The circumstances surrounding the death of Egyptian TV presenter Abeer Al-Abasiri sparked widespread debate on social media platforms, following accusations that a government hospital was negligent in her treatment, causing severe complications that led to her death a few days ago.

TV presenter Abeer Al-Abasiri

One of the late presenter's colleagues claimed that "Al-Haram Hospital did not provide Al-Abasiri with the necessary care after she suffered a stroke. She remained in the reception department for hours without urgent medical intervention, before falling into a coma that led to her death," according to a widely circulated Facebook post.

 An informed source in the Egyptian Ministry of Health stated that the ministry has opened an urgent investigation to determine the truth of these accusations. He indicated that the hospital administration has been tasked with preparing a detailed report including all the medical procedures Al-Abasiri underwent upon admission and the timing of her treatment. The report will be presented to a specialized medical committee to determine its validity.

The source stated that the late media personality was transferred to the hospital last Wednesday in critical condition due to a severe drop in oxygen levels and a deterioration in her level of consciousness. The medical team, according to the source, conducted a series of medical tests and examinations to assess her health condition, before she was later transferred to a private hospital for three days at the request of her family. However, her condition deteriorated further, leading to her death.

Surprise Visit by the Minister of Health

This incident coincided with a surprise visit by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, to Al-Haram Specialized Hospital in Giza Governorate. He affirmed that "the ministry will not tolerate any negligence that  threatens the health and safety of Egyptian citizens.

Abdel Ghaffar also expressed his "extreme dissatisfaction" with the poor level of cleanliness within the hospital and decided to immediately terminate the contract with the company responsible for cleaning work, as well as with the security company tasked with regulating entry.

 "after observing clear deficiencies in their duties, leading to overcrowding of attendants and irregular entry," according to a ministry statement. The minister decided to hold an urgent meeting with his assistants to establish binding timetables for completing the development work and improving the hospital's efficiency.

Demands for Implementing the "Mahlab Decision"

For its part, the Egyptian Center for the Right to Medicine stressed the need to investigate the treatment of journalist Abeer al-Abasiri in a public hospital and refer the case to the Public Prosecution.  The Center explained that "a stroke patient can be easily saved if medical intervention is provided immediately. However, leaving them without treatment for long hours due to failure to pay part of the treatment cost in advance is a cruel and unfair decision, repeated in both public and private hospitals."

The center's executive director, Mahmoud Fouad, called for the issuance of directives to ensure the implementation of a decision issued by former Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab in 2014, which requires all hospitals and medical facilities to provide free treatment for emergencies and accidents for 48 hours.

 Fouad added that the decision emphasizes that emergency patients receive all necessary medical care, including surgery, during this period. The patient is then transferred to the appropriate facility after coordination with official authorities. The hospital must then contact the medical councils to collect reimbursement from the state.

He pointed out that the failure to implement this decision for 11 years has resulted in the deaths of other citizens and has led to others facing difficulties in moving between hospitals in critical health conditions. He called on the Ministry of Health to issue an official warning to all health and university facilities to implement it and to take strict measures to hold those who fail to comply accountable to protect citizens' lives.