Egypt deploys thousands of medical staff to Rafah border as alert level raised

Egypt has deployed thousands of medical professionals to its eastern border, including 12,000 doctors specialising in emergency and critical care, more than 18,000 nurses and 30 rapid response teams, the Ministry of Health and Population announced.

The doctors, affiliated with the Central Administration for Emergency and Critical Care, have been placed on immediate standby to manage crises and provide rapid medical intervention in line with developments on the ground and the humanitarian situation at the border.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar inspected operations at the Rafah border crossing and toured hospitals in North Sinai Governorate to assess preparedness for receiving wounded and injured arrivals from the Gaza Strip.

During the visit, accompanied by North Sinai Governor Major General Khaled Fouda, Abdel Ghaffar said around 18,000 vaccine doses had been administered since the crossing reopened in November 2023, benefiting nearly 13,500 Palestinian children. He said Egypt is committed to vaccinating all children under the age of 12, whether injured or accompanying their families, to help address gaps in regular healthcare services in Gaza due to the ongoing war.

The visit followed the ministry’s announcement that it had raised the state of alert to its highest level in conjunction with the reopening of the crossing from the Palestinian side and the resumption of receiving critical cases.

Health ministry spokesperson Hossam Abdel Ghaffar said Egypt had activated its National Emergency Health Services Plan, which includes the readiness of 150 hospitals nationwide to receive casualties, supported by a fleet of around 300 ambulances equipped with advanced medical technology.