An Egyptian government hospital in Qalyubia Governorate, within Greater Cairo, refused to receive a pregnant woman who was about to give birth until she paid the required amount, which led to the death of the fetus.
Her husband filed a complaint with the police against the administration of Kafr Shukr Specialist Hospital in Qalyubia Governorate, accusing the administration of refusing to provide the necessary medical care for his wife and take her to the operating room to give birth unless she pays 1,600 Egyptian pounds (about $50), according to local media.
The husband said that he did not have the money to pay this amount, so his wife had to give birth at the reception door, and the fetus fell to the ground and died.
In the first official move, Maha Ibrahim, head of the Secretariat of Specialized Medical Centers at the Egyptian Ministry of Health, decided to dismiss the director of Kafr Shukr Hospital and appoint a new director for it.
It also ordered the opening of an urgent investigation to find out the circumstances of the incident, and to hold accountable the negligent officials and doctors against the woman residing in the city of Shebin Al-Qanater in Al-Qalyubia Governorate.
The authorities are currently investigating the accusation that the hospital administration refused to receive the woman, which forced her to give birth at the door and led to the death of the fetus.
