Investigation Launched Into Egyptian Gynecologist Over Ethics Breach

The Egyptian Administrative Prosecution Authority has launched an investigation into a video posted by Gynecologist Wessam Shaib, which has raised concerns over violations of patient rights and medical ethics. Counsellor Abdel Radi Ahmed Sediq, Head of the Administrative Prosecution, ordered the Women's Affairs, Human Rights, and Disabled Persons Unit to investigate the video after it circulated widely on social media.

The video, posted by Dr. Shaib, is being examined for its potential breach of the Code of Conduct governing medical practice and its possible violation of patient confidentiality, particularly concerning confidential pregnancies. The investigation focuses on whether Shaib's video constitutes a breach of professional ethics. Authorities are particularly concerned about the confidentiality of patient information, though no specific names or personal details were disclosed in the video.

In the 13-minute live video posted on her personal account, Shaib details several cases of premarital pregnancies she encountered inappropriately, highlighting the conversations had with her patients and their families. “The father was born in 2004 or 2005, the mother was born in 1990, she was almost as old as his mother,” Shaib notes one of her cases in the video.

Following Shaib’s arrest in Beheira, her husband, Mustafa Darwish, spoke publicly in her defence. Darwish addressed claims that his wife had posted the video for public attention or to stir controversy. He clarified that the video was shared on her personal, non-commercial Facebook page and was motivated by a desire to “raise awareness about a growing issue.”