Activists Oppose Egyptian Healthcare Privatization

Cairo, Egypt (AHN) - A group of activists, opposition parties' members and journalists gathered in the Egyptian press syndicate in Cairo on Tuesday to express their opposition to the new health insurance privatization law the government is trying to pass. The group argued that the new law would be disastrous to all Egyptians, rich and poor.

"When health is treated as a product, it is dangerous to us all, not only the poor," Alaa Shoukralah, a committee member with activist group, the Right of Health, said. "There is great pressure from the government to pass this law and we demand a national dialogue first."

The new health insurance law will force the participants to contribute one third of the cost of medical services plus medicine expenses and up to one quarter of hospital fees, including surgeries. It also gives the insurance company the right to minimize their services at any time.

"The new law violates the right of healthcare to Egyptians, as well as only benefiting those who are capable of its cost," Soha Abdulatty, Deputy director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, told AHN in Cairo.

"It appears that the law will be passed at the new Parliament session in November and we are trying to gather opinions in support of turning it into a national discussion first," Abdulatty added.