The health of the Lebanese is in danger after the decision of private hospitals to stop receiving patients from insurance, except for critical cases only, starting next week.
This decision came in response to the failure of the National Social Security Fund to pay monthly advances to private hospitals in exchange for services provided to the insured, according to what was announced by the head of the Syndicate of Private Hospitals, Suleiman Haroun.
In an interview with “Lebanon Debate,” Haroun explained that “this decision is valid as long as the guarantee does not pay the advances.” He reiterated that “emergency cases will be received,” noting that “the doctor is the one who determines if it is possible to postpone the medical procedure for the patient.” ?
And about the repercussions of this matter on patients, he said: “This matter is our responsibility, and we know exactly what our responsibilities are, and we will not let people be harmed. It is our decision and we pledge that no patient will be hurt or die as a result of this measure.” ?
He added: “We do not need anyone to teach us what to do, and we bear the responsibility for our decision, and no one scares us about this issue, because the issue is clearly that we cannot provide medical services if the guarantee is not paid. There is a minimum of logic, so what is required, hospitals do And the guarantee refuses to pay?” ?
He warned that “the hospital situation is very difficult, and we could hardly be able to withstand, because all the expenses have increased and the financial situation is very difficult,” noting that “the guarantee has funds, and the problem is that some members of the board of directors linked the payment to the hospitals with other matters that we have nothing to do with, for example that The guarantee pays the price of the medicine to the insured according to the tariff of the Ministry of Health, so what about us in this matter until the advances were stopped for hospitals?” ?
In conclusion, Harun called on the guarantee to “immediately start paying the advances to the hospitals.” ?