By Amina Abdul Salam A co-operation protocol was signed recently between Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population and Sanofi, one of the pharmaceutical companies working in the country, to train 500 physicians preparatory for applying the health insurance system in Port Said. Dr Hala Zayed, Egyptian Minister of Health, said that training at hospitals involved in the health insurance system was important so that the model family doctor would return once again to the basic health care units. Dr Usama el Shazli, Head of the Doctors Training Institute, said that the protocol coincides with the start of applying the health insurance system. The protocol covers training for 500 newly graduated doctors in Port Said for six months at a total cost of LE2 million.