The government is ensuring that Egypt has a sufficient stock of medicine and medical equipment as the country continues its fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has said.
Addressing the Egyptian citizens, Madbouly added that, with the government ensuring citizens can access the healthcare supplies they need, there is no need to pile up medicines despite the ongoing crisis.
He stressed that President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has directed for the government to follow up on availability of medical supplies and provide the needed medicines. He noted that the Ministry of Health is already providing, free of charge, the required medicines for patients being treated in hospitals for the virus.
On Sunday, Egypt reported 1,475 new coronavirus cases, and 87 new deaths. The country’s total number of confirmed cases reached 55,233 cases, with 2,193 fatalities. A total of 14,736 cases have recovered and been discharged from quarantine facilities at hospitals.
In a report to the prime minister, Chief of the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) Tamer Essam said that the authority has provided medicines to coronavirus patients who are self-isolating at their homes. These medicines included Azithromycin, Paracetamol, zinc, Vitamin C, and C-zinc tablets.
Essam called upon citizens to avoid storing medicines, especially as all medical supplies and medicines are available to every patient who needs it.
In media statements on Saturday evening, Minister of Health Hala Zayed said there has been a recent shortage of some vitamins and antibiotics in pharmacies. She has also called on citizens to avoid unnecessarily stock-piling medicines, especially if these supplies are not needed.
Zayed added that there are more than 25 places across Egypt at which those who have recovered from the coronavirus can donate plasma. She noted that for every donor who donates plasma, the lives of two patients are saved.
Zayed explained that Dexamethasone has been part of Egypt’s treatment protocol since the beginning of the country’s efforts to combat the pandemic. Another drug, Remisdivir, remains under clinical trials, with an Egyptian company set to start production of the drug soon, she said.
