Egypt Daily News – The Medical Professions Union comprising the syndicates of human doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and veterinarians has called on President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi not to ratify the recently passed Old Rent Law. The union is requesting that the bill be returned for broader public dialogue and legislative reconsideration, particularly regarding its impact on private clinics and pharmacies.
In an official statement, the union expressed concern over Article Two of the new law, which stipulates that rental contracts will be terminated five years after the law comes into effect. According to the union, this clause poses a direct threat to the stability of over 21,000 clinics and approximately 30,000 rented pharmacies across the country.
Such disruption, it warned, could significantly affect the continuity of healthcare services, especially in underprivileged and rural areas.
The statement also highlighted the practical implications of the law’s implementation. Medical professionals forced to relocate would need to undergo new licensing procedures and rebuild their patient relationships from scratch, resulting in both psychological and financial strain amid already challenging conditions.
The union concluded its statement by expressing confidence in President El-Sisi’s intervention to safeguard the livelihoods of thousands of families working in the medical sector. It urged him to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of healthcare services in high-need areas by rejecting the ratification of the law and reconsidering the controversial article.
