Egypt allocates 37 hospitals in 8 governorates to receive Palestinian injured from Gaza

El-Sayed Gamal El-Din , Monday 13 Nov 2023

Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, the Minister of Health, said on Monday that 37 hospitals in 8 governorates in Egypt have been prepared to receive Palestinian patients and injured from the Gaza Strip and that 13 of them are currently treating patients.

An injured Palestinian man is transported by an Egyptian health ministry ambulance on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip in North Sinai province in northeastern Egypt on November 13, 2023. AFP

Abdel-Ghaffar's remarks came during a hearing session held at the House of Representatives by the Health Affairs committee, chaired by MP Ashraf Hatem, regarding the efforts of the Egyptian state, represented by the Ministry of Health, to support the Palestinians in Gaza.

He stated that the ministry formed crisis committees and prepared emergency rooms, outlining a plan covering emergency, therapeutic, and preventive services to address worst-case scenarios.

The health minister added that 150 ambulances were allocated to transfer the patients from Rafah crossing.

Abdel-Ghaffar also highlighted the readiness of the healthcare sector, emphasizing professionalism in handling cases.

Furthermore, he said that Egypt was approached to receive the children in nurseries at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza due to lack of electricity, adding that 90 percent of the hospitals in Gaza are out of service.

The health minister highlighted that Egypt was negotiating to receive more cases from Gaza.

Abdel-Ghaffar also noted that there were around 1,500 kidney dialysis cases in Gaza.

In addition, he pointed out that all medical teams are eager to participate in treating the injured.

When asked about preventive measures and services, the health minister said prevention services are offered to thousands of foreigners entering Egypt, who must undergo thorough examinations.

Abdel-Ghaffar also outlined the plan for healthcare support in Gaza, dividing hospitals into three levels based on their locations.

He further explained that Egypt received diverse cases from Gaza that included severe burns, fractures, eye injuries, internal organ injuries, quadriplegia (due to shrapnel), and cancer.

The health minister also spoke about the possibility of North Sinai entering the second phase of comprehensive health insurance.

Finally, Abdel-Ghaffar praised the resilience and determination of the injured, who, he said, expressed their desire to return quickly to Gaza.

Earlier this month, Abdel-Ghaffar stated that between 40-50 injured Palestinians cross daily to Egypt through the Rafah crossing to receive treatment.