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Egypt's new health care law has medical community worried

The Egyptian Cabinet's approval of a new health care law raised concerns over the potential for the bill to lead to the privatization of state-owned hospitals.
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CAIRO — The Egyptian government's approval Oct. 25 of a new health care draft law has sparked fears within the Egyptian Medical Syndicate (EMS) and among local health specialists over the government's tendency to privatize public hospitals, especially those that might not meet the quality standards set by the new law. The draft law has now been referred to the House of Representatives for discussion and approval.

In a bid to get rid of the old system wherein Egyptians pay high prices in return for hospital and clinical treatment, the government approved the new health insurance law. This draft law, media reports say, also aims to improve the conditions of government hospitals suffering from several problems, as it stipulates a health care system whereby citizens should enjoy excellent health services.

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