Investigation results on Munira hospital physician shows administrative deficiencies: Health Min.

CAIRO – 26 May 2020: The initial investigation results regarding the death of a physician infected with the new coronavirus (COVID-19) in al-Munira hospital downtown Cairo, shows some administrative deficiencies in dealing with the situation inside the hospital.

In a Tuesday statement, Egypt’s ministry of Health said that doctor Walid Yahia Abdel-Halim developed mild COVID-19 symptoms on May 18, in the next day he tested positive and was given needed medicine for self-quarantine.

However, later on May 22, Abdel-Halim was hospitalized again due to developing more serious symptoms including chest pain and shortness of breath, accordingly he was prepared to be transferred to Nasr City Health Insurance Hospital, [one of the quarantine hospitals] to be under regular medical surveillance.

On May 23, he arrived at Nasr City Health Hospital; but in the next day he was announced dead as cardiac muscle stopped.

The Initial investigations have resulted in some administrative deficiencies in dealing with the situation inside the hospital according to the statement. The ministry is currently investigating the reasons behind the deficiencies and those responsible for it.
Ministry of Health affirmed that it will announce all legal procedures once the investigation is finished.

On Monday, Egypt’s Ministry of Health launched an investigation into the death of a physician infected with the new coronavirus (COVID-19) after it has been accused of “inaction” in protecting medical staff during the pandemic.

Minister of Health Hala Zayed ordered an investigation into the death of doctor Walid Yahia Abdel-Halim, who died from the COVID-19, in al-Munira hospital downtown Cairo on Monday, the Health Ministry announced in a statement.

The Minister added that all legal measures will be taken if any default is found, the statement said.

As yet, the number of doctors who died from the COVID-19 reached 19 physicians, including doctor Adel-Halim, while the number of the infected doctors registered more than 350, announced the Egyptian Medical Syndicate in a statement on Monday, saying “the Health Ministry’s failure in providing the doctors the health protection recurred.”

The syndicate stated that the ministry is required to conduct early testing to detect any infected cases among the medical staff members and testing those who are close to the COVID-19 patients. The syndicate asked the ministry for providing a treatment place for doctors who are infected with the virus.

On Tuesday, 789 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Egypt, bringing the total number of cases to 18756, the Health Ministry said in its daily briefing.
The ministry also reported 14 deaths due to the novel virus, bringing the total number to 797.

Also, the test results of 5606 people turned from positive to negative, the ministry said, including 5027 people who totally recovered. It added that 127 patients left hospitals.