Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development Hala El-Said has said that 30% of the deaths reported among healthcare workers during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic were women.
During a national event celebrating Egyptian women on Mother’s Day, El-Said said, “Women are among the nation’s martyrs in this difficult confrontation with this pandemic, representing about 30% of the martyrs among medical teams, in a new confirmation of the permanent readiness of the Egyptian woman with her strength and toughness.”
According to the Egyptian Medical Syndicate (EMS), over 400 doctors have passed away after contracting the virus. There are no clear published figures from the Ministry of Health and Population concerning the number of medical workers, including doctors, nurses, and technicians, who died after contracting the virus.
El-Said added that, in light of the pandemic, women were the most affected group of society, according to international reports.
“Women make up about 70% of those working in the healthcare and social sector, which puts a burden on them in caring for the sick; this makes them more susceptible to infection with this pandemic,” the minister said.
El-Said pointed out that Egyptian women represent about 43% of doctors and 92% of the nursing staff who work in the Ministry of Health and Population, and university hospitals.
