The Caretaker Minister of Public Health Hamad Hassan confirmed that the health sector in Lebanon is going through tough challenges and complications as a result of the economic conditions. However, this doesn’t mean that the government will renounce its duties in providing the hospitals and physicians their rights and dues.

Hassan said during his meeting with a delegation of medical committees from Bekaa hospitals, that Lebanon is not only suffering from economic and financial problems, but there are also lack of guarantees to continue providing these services amid these tough circumstances. He added “We should ask the officials in charge of setting the financial policies, who have set mistaken estimations, to take the initiative and find a solution for this hurdle.

He addressed the doctors and said: “Your demands for your dues are fair, as a Parliamentary law has been enacted to pay all the transgression of financial ceilings – reconciliations.” He said that it is the first time the Ministry of Public Health separated the physicians’ fees from the hospital rights, and your dues for the year 2020. ”

He said: “Everyone appreciates the physician’s rights, and the importance of providing them their advances and dues.”

Hassan sent a message to international organizations and NGOs which have contracts with the hospitals: “If the hospital receives fresh dollars, then the physicians should be paid with fresh dollars. If the hospital is charging for its services at the exchange rate of the platform, then the doctor should be paid at the same platform’s rate.” He added that any violation for this rule is forbidden, otherwise the Syndicate of hospitals must undertake its responsibility, and fulfill its duty.

Hassan said that the ministry will invite the hospital representatives for a meeting and inform them that this issue is not subject to any maneuver or any excesses.

Hassan said that regarding lifting subsidies on pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, “I contacted the Central Bank where we were informed that the subsidies are not lifted on medical equipment, however a new mechanism is suggested and will be discussed with the ministry.” He added: “Lifting subsidies on medicines and medical supplies is a red line.”

He said: “Whoever is responsible for the financial engineering that brought the country and its citizens to this point of weakness, they must bear the responsibility. He added: “We have not received any decision in this regard, and we refuse to take a decision to lift the subsidy without sitting at a common table to discuss a gradual mechanism that guarantees and preserves the citizen’s health before talking about lifting subsidies from the health sector.”