Cairo:According to State Information Service Egypt, Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar has underscored the importance of a swift response to citizens' medical needs, asserting it as a fundamental right. He highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance the emergency and critical care system for more efficient healthcare services.

During an inspection visit to the 137 Emergency Services Centre and the national 'Egypt Critical Care' project, the minister evaluated service regularity and the latest mechanisms for handling critical cases. He also reviewed the operations of the 16474 hotline for the 'Every Second Counts' heart and stroke initiatives, noting the registration of 22,736 cases, which included various medical interventions.

The visit included a presentation of a proposed Command Center project aimed at real-time monitoring of critical cases and available beds, which would support quicker decision-making and improved capacity management.

The minister examined the complaints and inquiries room's procedures, witnessing a rapid response to a poisoning case. The 137 Emergency Services Centre reported a 98.2% immediate response rate, handling nearly a million calls.

In the 'Egypt Critical Care' room, the minister reviewed case monitoring indicators, with significant numbers of cases registered and placed, while also noting efforts to reduce average waiting times for intensive care.

Health Ministry spokesman Hossam Abdel Ghaffar noted recent capacity expansions in critical care beds, enhancing the system's ability to respond to emergencies effectively.