Egypt health minister ends hospital security contract after journalist assault

Egypt's health minister terminated a private security firm's contract after a guard assaulted a journalist at 6th of October Central Hospital in Giza.

• Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar ended the contract of the security company whose guard attacked a journalist, the ministry announced Wednesday.
• The hospital was receiving 30 wounded from a crash on the Cairo–Asyut desert road when a guard scuffled with a journalist asked to leave the treatment area.
• The Giza Health Affairs Directorate said it rejects any verbal or physical assault on journalists and that investigations will determine responsibility.
• Abdel Ghaffar directed that the reporter be received at his office, the ministry said.
• The Egyptian Journalists Syndicate's Freedom Committee condemned the assault on journalist Mohamed Faisal, saying about seven security staff beat, dragged and detained him.
• The Health Ministry affirmed its respect for press freedom while stressing coverage must balance journalists' rights with patient privacy.
• The ministry also offered its condolences to the families of the victims of the crash.