CAIRO: After reports circulated last Wednesday that an Egyptian doctor was shot by a Saudi citizen at al-Tathlith hospital in the southern part of Saudi Arabia while performing his duties inside the hospital, a Muslim Brotherhood Member of Parliament has questioned the government's response to the incident. Abdel Fatah Eid, a MP from the Muslim Brotherhood Parliamentary bloc delivered an urgent message to Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif and Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, concerning the negative attitude of the government over the protection of the rights of Egyptians working abroad, especially doctors, singling out the Egyptian doctor's case. Bikya originally reported that he had been killed by the assailant, but further reports appeared that stated Mohamed Hany is currently struggling for his life in the hospital, according to local press in the countries. The reports raised concerns and condemnation of human rights groups and members of the opposition movements in Egypt, including MPs. The Saudi hospital announced late Wednesday that the condition of the Egyptian doctor was stable after the initial reports of his death and that the victim was transferred to a hospital in the capital, Riyadh. Hany was shot number of times in different parts of the body, a medical worker at the hospital said. Eid confirmed that “the doctor is fighting death in the intensive care unit; fighting for his life now … without any move from the Egyptian Consul in Jeddah, which was informed of the incident and so far the Saudi authorities did not take any action to investigate the incident.” He also called on foreign ministry officials and the Minister of Manpower, Aisha Abdel Hady, to move quickly to save the life of the doctor and investigate the incident, saying that there was another doctor, Dr Mohamed Samir who was recently assaulted by four brothers while he treated their mother in Mubarak Hospital, Kuwait, and who is still being treated and requires a follow up to his case. Eid demanded the government take actions and investigations for the enforcement of justice to protect the rights of Egyptians abroad. In recent years, Egypt has been at odds with Gulf Arab nations, who import Egyptian laborers to the country. They often work at much lower rates than locals and reports of poor treatment and conditions at the hands of their overlords has led to a number of protests in front of the Saudi Embassy in Cairo. Egypt’s foreign ministry has issued a number of statements demanding better treatment by Gulf states, but the conditions continue much the same. BM
