The Doctors Syndicate called on its members and local branches across the country to protest in front of major hospitals and the syndicate headquarters in Cairo against a government budget proposal that allocates less than 5 percent of spending to the health sector.
The protests are planned for the coming two Sundays.
A fiscal year 2012/2013 budget proposed by the Finance Ministry would grant 4.8 percent of spending to health, compared to 17 percent in fiscal year 2011/12 and falling far short of the syndicate's calls for at least 15 percent.
The syndicate objected in a Tuesday statement to the proposed budget, and demanded that health spending at least double the rate set for this year in the current budget, with a plan to raise it to 15 percent over the next two years.
The statement called on medical employees to stage hour-long protests on 20 and 27 May, and said it would send a delegation to meet with People’s Assembly and Shura Council members on Monday to discuss the issue.
It also called on citizens and other syndicates to help gather 1 million signatures in an effort to petition for more health funding.
Syndicate head Khairy Abdel Dayem criticized the budget, which the People’s Assembly is expected to review within a few days, describing it as a “catastrophe and a crime” against the people.
Abdel Dayem previously said he is in discussions with Health Minister Fouad al-Nawawy to press for increasing the proposed health funding in a way that conforms to the needs of hospitals and patients.
Several medical movements such as lobbying group Doctors without Rights also rejected the proposed health budget.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
