SIDON, Lebanon: Medical staff and administrators shut down Sidon’s government-run hospital Thursday to protest against unpaid salaries.
The protesters blocked the main entrance to Sidon Public Hospital to prevent patients from entering as they chanted slogans urging government intervention.
They also called upon Health Minister Wael Abu Faour for speedy action to save the hospital from total collapse.
“No to political bickering,” one sign held by the protesters said. Another one read: “No to closing down Sidon Public Hospital.”
A statement read on behalf of the protesters said Thursday’s seven-hour strike would be suspended at 3:00 p.m., but warned that the employees would adopt tougher measures next week if they were not paid.
An open-ended strike was seriously being considered, according to the statement.
Thursday’s action was the second this week. On Monday, employees stopped work to protest unpaid salaries.
A short list of demands read out during that protest called on the Health Ministry to secure “financial contributions” in order to spare the hospital the risk of running out of essential medical supplies needed to treat patients.
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