Cairo: Egypt's Prosecutor General, Mohamed Shawky, announced that a new medical liability and patient safety law is a significant step in coordinating state agencies to ensure safe working conditions for healthcare workers and to protect patient rights.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Shawky spoke at a panel hosted by the Public Prosecution and attended by Health and Population Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Justice Minister Adnan Fangari, Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister Ayman Ashour, and presidential health adviser Mohamed Awad Tag El-Din. He stated that the law combines medical practice with scientific standards, aligning with the prosecution's approach of relying on technical expertise to ensure proper procedures. The discussions were held to support Egypt's medical sector and boost the country's regional standing in healthcare.
Shawky highlighted that the law establishes a Higher Medical Committee for Medical Liability to differentiate between professional errors and gross negligence, supporting fair decisions. He described the committee as a safeguard that balances a patient's right to proper care with the need to protect doctors and healthcare workers.
Justice Minister Fangari mentioned that the legislation addresses challenges facing the health system and aims to build trust between citizens and government institutions. He pointed out that it allows for settlements and mediation without compromising patient rights and ensures doctors are not subjected to unfair accountability, reflecting long-standing professional standards.
Fangari further explained that the law is part of the broader government commitment to human rights and was developed through extensive institutional cooperation. He noted that President Abdel Fattah El Sisi directed the law to support the growth of the health sector while protecting both patients and medical staff.
Higher Education Minister Ashour stated that the law reinforces Egypt's efforts to improve quality and governance in healthcare and higher education. It introduces precise definitions that address previous ambiguities faced by medical workers, providing a new committee structure that supports service providers while preserving patient rights.
Minister Abdel Ghaffar, who also serves as deputy prime minister for human development, praised the ongoing cooperation between the Health and Population Ministry and the Public Prosecution. He emphasized that the law will establish a more organized framework for the health sector and boost service quality nationwide, aiming to improve patient safety while allowing doctors to work without fear of malicious complaints.
Abdel Ghaffar added that the Higher Medical Committee, supported by specialized technical experts, will play a major role in delivering balanced and fair decisions that reinforce confidence between doctors and patients.