Egypt’s Women Council pays tribute to female doctors, nurses battling coronavirus

CAIRO – 5 April 2020: Maya Morsy, head of the National Council for Women, Egypt’s only national independent women organization, paid tribute to the medical teams nationwide, who have been directly involved in the fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Morsy expressed appreciation for the sacrifices made by the female doctors and nurses in the country, due to the “fierce war” they fight against the pandemic, considering them in the “third line of defense” for Egypt.

While all members of society are staying at homes, female doctors and nurses are fighting the epidemic and are going days without sleep, Morsy said. “They sacrifice their comfort, health and security, adopting a slogan that the nation’s health is more precious than theirs.”

“As Egyptian women have been the third line of defense for the homeland in June 30 revolution, doctors and nurses now are the third defense line for the homeland in facing this pandemic,” she added.

Morsy also said media succeeded to highlight the role played by female doctors and nurses to curb the spread of the novel virus.

Late in March, the Egyptian Medical Syndicate confirmed the death of the first doctor in Egypt due to coronavirus. Ahmed Al-Lawah, 57, died in a quarantine hospital in Ismailia in northeastern Egypt.

Also, the country’s National Cancer Institute (NCI) was closed after detecting 17 positive cases of coronavirus among the medical staff.

On March 29th, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi ordered Sunday to boost the allowance of those working in the medical field by a 75 percent increase as a gesture of appreciation for their current efforts to contain the threat of coronavirus.

The president’s directions came during a meeting that included prime minister Mustafa Madbouli, ministers of defense and military production, minister of higher education, minister of finance, and minister of health to discuss the current situation.

Sisi praised the efforts exerted by the medical doctors and ordered to allocate 2.25 billion pounds to boost medical staffers’ allowance, he also issued a directive about launching a risk fund for doctors and workers in the medical field.

The president ordered to issue exceptional rewards for the workers at quarantine, chest, and fever hospitals.