Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, conducted an inspection visit on Thursday to North Sinai to assess Egypt’s preparedness to receive and treat wounded and ill Palestinians amid ongoing humanitarian developments in Gaza.
Abdel Ghaffar arrived in the governorate via El Arish International Airport, where he was received by North Sinai Governor Khaled Mogawer. The visit included a tour of the Rafah land crossing to review procedures for receiving injured and sick Palestinians, as well as follow-up inspections of several hospitals to evaluate medical readiness, treatment protocols, and emergency response plans.
The health minister sought to reassure both domestic and international audiences that Egypt is fully prepared, from a medical and logistical standpoint, to respond to any escalation in humanitarian needs. Officials emphasized that preparations are designed to remain flexible and scalable, depending on developments on the ground.
Activation of the National Emergency Health Plan
According to Health Ministry spokesperson Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, Egypt has activated its national emergency healthcare plan and raised readiness levels across all public healthcare facilities. These measures coincide with the opening of the Rafah crossing from the Palestinian side to allow the entry of wounded and sick patients, as well as the return of those who have completed treatment.
The emergency plan aims to ensure rapid medical response, continuity of care, and the capacity to handle sudden surges in casualties or humanitarian cases, particularly those requiring urgent surgical or critical care.
Hospitals, Ambulances, and Medical Staff on Standby
The current phase of the plan, now in its third iteration, is built around comprehensive operational readiness. Approximately 150 hospitals across Egypt have been designated to participate, with the possibility of expanding capacity as conditions require. These facilities are equipped to provide a full range of medical, surgical, and intensive care services.
The plan also includes the deployment of between 250 and 300 fully equipped ambulances to facilitate rapid and safe patient transfers from border points to hospitals nationwide.
Human resources form a central pillar of the response. The ministry has mobilized around 12,000 doctors across critical specialties, supported by more than 18,000 nurses. In addition, 30 rapid-response teams affiliated with the Central Administration for Emergency and Critical Care have been placed on standby, capable of being deployed within hours to manage acute situations and large-scale emergencies.
Round-the-Clock Central Command
To ensure coordination and real-time decision-making, the Ministry of Health has activated a central command and control room at its headquarters, operating 24 hours a day. This hub is directly linked to 27 emergency rooms in health directorates nationwide, as well as more than 90 emergency hospitals and medical points.
Officials say this integrated network allows for swift communication, accurate data flow, and immediate intervention, ensuring that resources can be redirected efficiently as needs evolve.
The visit underscores Egypt’s continued role as a key humanitarian gateway for Gaza, with health authorities stressing that medical readiness remains a top priority amid uncertainty surrounding the broader regional situation.
