It was as if I had won the lottery. Out of the approximately 250 passengers aboard my direct flight from New York City to Cairo, I was the sole person ushered to the side while an airport employee handed me a plastic strip. Is this to measure my pH or my temperature, I asked myself.
“Your temperature high, said the Egyptian airport employee and he suspected swine flu as the culprit.
As they directed me to a walled off section of the airport, I received my prize, the internationally recognized symbol of swine flu: a white hospital mask. This was definitely not the warm welcome to Egypt that I had in mind.
Dr Germine, a veiled young woman with oversized sunglasses, introduced herself and told me that I would have to ride in an ambulance to the fever hospital of Abasya where they would “investigate if I had swine flu. With my navy blue American passport between her fingers, I felt like I didn’t have much of a choice.
I understood the Egyptian government’s warranted concern over how easily swine flu can transfer from person to person in a densely populated city like Cairo. It was better to be safe than sorry.
Also, even if I did protest and call the American Embassy, they cannot intervene if a private citizen is held upon arrival in a foreign country.
“Private American citizens should be aware that the US Government cannot demand their immediate release if they have been detained or quarantined abroad in accordance with public health and legal authorities, according to the US Department of State website.
When we arrived at the Abasya Hospital, a nurse took my temperature with the same type of disposable thermometer used at the airport. With the results unknown to me and a few hours since my arrival, I started to get alarmed.
Dr Germine entered the examination room and revealed that she had news. She said that I would have to pay $300 so that the hospital could medically examine me and place me under observation for 24 hours. I found $300 (LE 1,650) an exorbitant sum of money, but more importantly that I would have to pay the government when they had initiated the investigation.
I immediately refused to pay anything and told her that I would call the American embassy. She promptly withdrew and said that consequently I would have to be admitted to another hospital in the nearby neighborhood Nasr City, Gerehat El-Youm El-Wahed (one-day surgery) Hospital.
Upon arriving at a pharonic-inspired hospital, Dr Germine told me to wait outside. I was already suspicious and called the US embassy in the meantime. I updated them about my situation and they strongly suggested that I refuse to pay anything.
Dr Germine then approached me and said that I could stay at Gerehat il-yomil-wahead Hostiptal, and it would cost me $100. I asked what my $100 would be covering.
“A swab test and a 24-hour stay in the hospital while you wait for your results, she answered.
I refused. We were both at a standstill, and I tried to reason with her that since I arrived, a doctor has yet to take my temperature with a proper thermometer. We agreed to go back to Abasya Hospital so that she could take my temperature.
In the meantime, the US representative handling my case conference called me with an Arabic translator on the other line to better understand the situation. I handed my mobile to Dr Germine, telling myself that my situation would be straightened out.
After rapidly conversing with the translator, she handed me my phone back. The representative told me that they’ve decided to keep me at the hospital but I would not have to pay a penny or a piaster.
A quick throat swab test later, they handed me a key and took me to a compound on the hospital grounds. Surprisingly, the mood was filled with energy since people felt rejuvenated after breaking their daily fast during Ramadan. The muffled voices of children carried as they played soccer with surgical masks on. But with a closer look, I saw patients coughing and sluggishly moving across the courtyard.
Those under swine flu observation were surrounded by those carrying the H1N1 virus. I found this to be completely nonsensical and I became obsessive compulsive, making sure not to touch anything or get too close to anyone.
Thirty-six-hours later a knock on my door alerted me that my swab test came back negative and I was to be released. I scrambled to pack my suitcases and left Abasya Hospital at 2 am on Saturday, Aug. 28.
I don’t think it’s standard procedure to charge those quarantined. After many attempts to reach the Heath Ministry for comment, the spokesman was unavailable.
Understandably, Egypt like any country has the right to quarantine anyone they suspect to have swine flu, however, with that right comes a responsibly to protect its tourists and citizens from corruption and inefficiency within its system.
As of now, I plan on filing an official complaint at the American Embassy’s citizen services department. And future tourists should be forewarned that their sightseeing might include the inside of a quarantine hospital.
But you can protect yourself by contacting your embassy and keeping good documentation. The swine flu should be no reason to get swindled.
