A VISION FOR OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE IN EGYPT, EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS (REVIEW) | ||||
| Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine | ||||
| Article 3, Volume 42, Issue 3, September 2018, Page 337-364 PDF (482.71 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejom.2018.12199 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Author | ||||
| Zawilla NH* | ||||
| Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University. | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| In Egypt occupational medicine (OM) continues to be one of medicine’s smallest specialties facing challenges both in terms of demand for consultants and trainees in occupational medicine, occupational health and safety practice. The decline in the number of occupational physicians is surprising when occupational health is such an important aspect of health. Occupational injuries and illnesses are among the five leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Future vision for occupational medicine in Egypt needs multilevel and multisystem cooperation. Evaluation of the current situation of the discipline as a scientific specialty is needed. Indeed the legal and health systems reforming are a corner stone in development of the discipline, especially that “occupational diseases” is more a legal definition than scientific. The Labor Law (12/ 2003) introduces some quite important changes. However, the enforcement of labor legislations in Egypt has always been rather weak. It is recommended to redefine and assess the competencies of occupational physicians. Education, training and information mechanisms and institutions play a vital role in the progressive construction of a national Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) system. As part from the general research fields, the research in occupational medicine generally faces the same challenges that faces other specialties with some difficulties related to the unique nature of the discipline. Safety culture promotion, and revitalization of the Supreme Advisory Council on OSH are also needed. Occupational rehabilitation and therapy are part of the discipline that should be focused on. In addition, Egypt being a country where micro and small and medium sized enterprises, together with agriculture, employ the majority of labor force, identification of priorities for the development of a national OSH action program for this category of industrial activity is crucial. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Occupational medicine; Egypt’s labor laws; Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) in Egypt; Future of Occupational Medicine; Occupational Safety Health profile and Workers’ compensation | ||||
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