Fears of arrest for speaking out on shortages of protective gear and poor crisis management are hampering the efforts of doctors in Egypt to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. 

While the nation has introduced a series of strict lockdown measures to curb the spread of Covid-19, authorities have reported more than 5,000 cases and more than 350 deaths.

But health professionals worry that criticizing the government could land them in jail for “spreading false news” — a charge commonly brought against those who defy Egyptian state narratives.

Doctors “are working in very stressful circumstances without protection,” said Nayla, a general practitioner who is refusing to work due to the acute lack of resources in public hospitals. “I believe that we’re going to lose many doctors in the coming days.”