The influence of Egyptian doctor Diaa al-Awadi has reportedly amplified since his death in April 2026, despite his medical licence being permanently revoked weeks prior. Al-Awadi had promoted unscientific health advice, including claims that insulin was a fraud, smoking was safe, and chemotherapy was useless, advocating instead for a diet-based system.
His system, called al-Tayyibat, prohibited certain foods while permitting others like jam and cigarettes, citing personal interpretations of the Qur'an as medical evidence. The Egyptian Medical Syndicate revoked his licence in February 2026, stating his advice on conditions like diabetes and cancer risked public health. His clinics were closed in March.
Following his death, thousands attended his funeral in Cairo, and conspiracy theories about his silencing circulated online. Egypt's media regulator ordered platforms to stop circulating his content, but this reportedly made his words more sought after. Fatima Adel, a 50-year-old author, developed diabetic foot after stopping her type 2 diabetes medication and following al-Awadi's system in early 2024. Another patient, Shaimaa al-Badawi, a lupus patient, died months after stopping her medication based on his advice.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified tackling health misinformation as a priority, noting its role in boosting opposition to vaccinations and delaying care. A 2024 report by Tebra found 45% of medical advice on TikTok to be false or misleading, with 67% of alternative remedy content likely to be false or misleading.