Egyptian Health Minister Hala Zayed sparked controversy on social media and among politicians and analysts after visiting Italy to provide medical aid to the European country amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Zayed arrived in Italy April 5 following instructions by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, "offering solidarity and support to Italy during this ordeal,” according to a statement released by the Health Ministry. She and a delegation of the Egyptian armed forces brought two military aircraft carrying medical supplies such as protective gloves and disinfection materials.