BEIRUT: Private hospitals Wednesday promised to abide by the guidelines set out by Health Minister Wael Abu Faour, who accused health centers across Lebanon of treating them like "customers" and denying the poor the right to relief.
“We have no vendetta against hospitals and their owners," Abu Faour told a joint news conference with the head of the Association of Private Hospitals Sleiman Haroun. "The situation cannot continue in the wake of the [unresolved] outstanding issues like humiliating patients at hospital doorsteps.”
He strongly lamented the fact that the poor person is being oppressed.
“I regret the fact the some hospital receptionists treat patients as customers and are admitted on distinction-based [health benefits],” Abu Faour said.
Haroun, in turn, said the Association of Private Hospitals respects Abu Faour’s decision on the patients’ rights and vowed to abide by the agreement he signed with the ministry.
“We had a very frank and fruitful meeting,” Haroun told reporters.
“Problems cannot be solved by pressing a button. They need some time,” he said, urging hospitals to adopt positive measures.
On Monday, the Health Ministry reduced its cash subsidies to private hospitals in the northern district of Akkar to punish them for mistreating patients.
A Health Ministry statement said the decision to hold back LL1 billion ($665,120) came in response to the death of 4-month-old boy Abdel-Raouf Mounir al-Houli earlier this month, after he was denied admission to two private hospitals in Akkar.
The amount will instead be transferred to the Abdullah al-Rassi public hospital in the northern town of Halba.
Abu Faour sounded more lenient Wednesday, hinting he would reconsider the cash grant reduction if he sees improvements.
“I will not take any positive action unless I see positive changes by hospitals,” he said. “Otherwise, the sword will continue to be raised above your heads.”
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