Female employees in government institutions use drugs: Official

CAIRO – 7 May 2019:"The results of the '100 million Seha' campaign proved that some female employees in government institutions use drugs such as Tramadol pills and hashish,"director of the laboratories of the Secretariat of Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Reem Al-Saa'I said Tuesday.

Saa'I told Egypt Today that they have recently examined seven ministries and eight hospitals in the state.

"There are 14 psychiatric hospitals with addiction treatment departments that provide treatment free of charge," Saa'I added.

Head of the Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Department at the Ministry of Health Mona Abdel Maksoud also confirmed that employees will continue to be examined during the holy month of Ramadan after Iftar.

Maksoud stressed that it is impossible to get samples from employees while fasting and that samples must be collected after Iftar to get clear results.

In May 2019, Health Minister Hala Zayed announced extending the third phase of the 100 Million Seha initiative until May 5 instead of the end of April, adviser to the Minister of Health Reham Adel told Egypt Today.

Adel said that the minister of health affirmed that services are still available free of charge.

"The Ministry of Health provided services to the citizens to enable them to benefit from the initiative, especially for people over the age of 18," Adel said.