Egypt has raised its healthcare system's readiness to receive wounded and ill patients from Gaza, placing 150 hospitals nationwide on high alert and mobilizing up to 300 fully equipped ambulances, the Ministry of Health said on Monday. Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar chaired a high-level coordination meeting to oversee preparations for patients arriving through the Rafah crossing as cross-border medical evacuations resume.
The meeting took place at the ministry's headquarters in the New Administrative Capital, attended by Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Social Solidarity Maya Morsy, representatives from relevant government bodies, and the Egyptian Red Crescent.
Ministry spokesperson Hossam Abdel Ghaffar said the discussions focused on activating Egypt's national emergency health services plan and strengthening readiness across healthcare facilities to respond to urgent humanitarian and medical developments.
The third edition of the plan involves approximately 150 hospitals across the country, with capacity to expand if required, and the deployment of between 250 and 300 ambulances to support patient transport and emergency response. It also includes the mobilization of trained medical personnel, comprising around 12,000 doctors in critical specialties and more than 18,000 nurses, in addition to 30 rapid-response teams capable of deployment within hours.
A 24-hour central control room is operating to coordinate efforts, linked to 27 emergency units within health directorates and more than 90 medical points and emergency hospitals nationwide, ensuring swift decision-making and effective coordination.
According to the spokesperson, the emergency plan aligns with World Health Organization standards and international humanitarian Sphere benchmarks, exceeding some minimum global indicators and reflecting Egypt's capacity to respond to large-scale humanitarian crises.
The meeting also addressed field coordination between the Egyptian Ambulance Authority and the Egyptian Red Crescent, focusing on managing patient reception and transfers through Rafah, providing humanitarian assistance, ensuring safe accommodation, and integrating medical services.
The ministry has secured strategic reserves of medicines and medical supplies and coordinated with the National Blood Bank to ensure the capacity to provide up to 1,000 blood transfusions per day in emergency situations. Abdel Ghaffar instructed hospitals near the Rafah crossing to raise alert levels and ensure adequate transportation for patients and accompanying individuals, stressing the importance of a whole-of-government approach to delivering comprehensive medical and humanitarian support.
