COVID 19: Some Ethical Issues for Health Care Institutions; an Egyptian View

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Forensic Medline and Clinical Toxicology, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine

Abstract

Moral and ethical codes were dealt with in several philosophical and medical traditions a long time ago. In all cultures, from the inception of humanity, codes of ethics regulated medical practice. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought on a number of unprecedented ethical questions. With development of the pandemic, health services are put under great pressure. Many ethical challenges arise during this pandemic such as challenges in the care of patients with COVID-19, challenges for health care leaders and health professionals as well as challenges regarding research on human beings. Decision-making protocols must be flexible enough to respond to rapidly changing circumstances. Also we must keep safe handling of bodies of deceased persons with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 both at the site of death and during preparation before burial. Remote consultations, through telephone or video, have increased to decrease face to face consultations. This document addresses some ethical challenges likely to arise during this pandemic.

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