CAIRO: The Doctors' Syndicate elections on Friday were marred by political and religious polarization, amid fierce competition between Muslim Brotherhood (MB) candidates and those on the Independence List. Candidates ran on two lists: one with Muslim Brotherhood members called Doctors for Egypt, and the other called the Independence List, whose candidates are hoping to end the MB's reign over the syndicate board. The Independence List comprises doctors' rights activists, some of them Copts. The elections to select a new board witnessed a high turnout by doctors, who voters and candidates said were "religiously directed." These are the first elections held after the cancellation of Law No. 100, which imposed restrictions on professional syndicate elections. The recent ruling canceling the law deemed existing boards illegitimate, and called for new elections. Elections passed smoothly in 50 polling committees under judicial supervision while the results were expected late on Friday. "Priests came today to call upon Christian doctors to vote for the competing list," said Abdel Fatah Rezk, a candidate on the Doctors for Egypt list. Mohamed Fatouh, a candidate on the Independence List, said that MB members came to vote for their candidates without comparing electoral programs. Doctors, who have recently organized a number of partial and general strikes nationwide, are hoping for a board that will work to improve their financial and working conditions. Some of their demands include raising the health budget, improving the status of hospitals and establishing a hospital for doctors. But candidates say achieving those demands is a tough task. "The wages are inadequate to the social status of doctors and the health ministry budget must be increased," said Abeer Mostafa, professor of pathology at the Cancer Institute. "There are differences in the programs of the competing lists, which is in the interest of doctors," she added. MB-affiliated doctors have been controlling the syndicate's board for years; however, doctors who have been leading protests — including Mona Mina, coordinator of Doctors Without Rights — are challenging the Brotherhood's reign with their own list of candidates. Magdy Louis said that while the MB served doctors during their hold of the syndicate, there's a growing need for change. "The best thing today is that there is a competition between different lists and programs. What used to happen before is that buses carrying MB members came to vote and that's it," he said. "What matters is the winners will be from our profession and will be our choice, regardless of their religion or political affiliations," said Ayman Khalifa, a doctor.
