Cairo: In a detailed letter addressed to the Editor-in-Chief of the British newspaper 'Mirror', Ambassador Alaa Youssef, Chairman of the Egypt Information Service, has refuted claims made in an article concerning Sharm El Sheikh International Hospital. The article, titled "British mum has appendix wrongly removed on 2,000 Egypt holiday and now cannot eat some everyday foods," was published by the 'Mirror' on June 21, 2026, and written by Ms. Lola White.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the allegations in the article stem from claims by Ms. Sian Irving, who stated she underwent an unnecessary appendectomy and other medical interventions at the hospital in September 2025. Ambassador Youssef expressed his astonishment at the timing of the publication, noting that it came nearly a year after Ms. Irving's visit to Sharm El Sheikh, widely recognized as a top tourist destination, including for medical tourism.
Ambassador Youssef emphasized that the allegations against Sharm El Sheikh International Hospital are entirely unfounded. He highlighted the hospital's reputation for its state-of-the-art equipment and highly professional medical staff, as recognized by both Egyptian authorities and international evaluation agencies. He noted that accurate records confirm Ms. Irving's visit on September 29, 2025, was solely for a routine examination and CT scan, conducted at her request, with no further medical intervention.
The letter further clarifies that Ms. Irving was not admitted to the hospital's emergency department, did not undergo surgery, and did not receive any treatment protocols or prescriptions from the facility. To date, the hospital has not received any formal complaints or refund requests from Ms. Irving or her representatives, and maintains full transparency with verified archives regarding her visit.
Ambassador Youssef concluded his letter by urging the 'Mirror' to publish this response in accordance with international professional standards and the publication's own ethical guidelines. He expressed his gratitude in advance for their cooperation in ensuring the right of reply.