Egypt on high alert ahead of planned protests

The Egyptian health ministry has raised the level of preparedness to maximum in the country’s hospitals and emergency departments in anticipation of demonstrations scheduled on 11 November.

Al-Khaleej Al-Jadeed obtained an administrative order issued by Alexandria Deputy Minister of Health, Magdy Hegazy, to cancel all holidays due to be taken by medical staff from Thursday to Sunday.

Blood bags as well as medicines and emergency kits are being prepared, in addition to measure being taken to ensure the efficiency of electric generators.

Thirty per cent of hospital beds are to be left empty ahead of the expected protests to cater for those in need of surgery or who require intensive medical treatments. Doctors on duty in emergency departments will also be increased during the period.

The Egyptian Interior Minister, Major General Magdy Abdul Ghaffar, has also ordered police numbers to be raised over the weekend.

Assistant Minister of Interior for the media sector, General Tarek Attia said the police force is on 24 hour alert to thwart any conspiracies planned against the state, the Middle East News Agency reported.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi is facing a sharp decline in popularity over the country’s worsening economy.