Minister of Public Health, Dr. Firass al-Abiad, paid a solidarity visit to Al-Makassed Hospital in Beirut this afternoon, after repeated attacks on its medical staff which prompted the hospital to announce the closure of its emergency section.
Following a tour of the hospital’s various departments, Minister Abiad held a meeting with the President of the Makassed Society, Dr. Faisal Sinno, members of the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director of the Hospital, Dr. Mohammad Badr, and the medical body, including the two doctors who were on duty in the emergency unit and were subjected to an attack two days ago.
Al-Makassed Hospital administration welcomed the Health Minister’s thoughtful gesture, stressing that his visit gives support to the hospital which needs protection by the state especially in its ER section.
In turn, Minister Abiad pointed out that “Al-Maksassed has a special place in the hearts of the Lebanese, given its distinguished social role as a charitable association, hospital and educational institutions.”
“It is our duty to help institutions that serve citizens, particularly Al-Makassed which is a non-profit association that aims solely to cover its deficit,” Abiad asserted.
In a statement to the attending press, Abiad said that his visit “is a message to the community confirming that the state is present and exercises all its duties towards the health and security of citizens and the security of the medical body. It is also a message of support by the government and PM Najib Mikati to the hospitals that are part of the civil organizations, which are carrying out their duties towards the citizens and helping the state in this respect.”
“Therefore, it is important for the emergency section at Al-Makassed Hospital to resume its operations as soon as possible and provide the required services to the community,” Abiad underlined.
The Health Minister disclosed herein that he has obtained reassurances from the Minister of Interior to follow-up on the issue of hospital security, hoping that there would be a quick solution “to ensure the wellbeing and personal safety of health practitioners.”
Abiad also revealed that the Lebanese Parliament has recently adopted a decision to tighten penalties on anyone who assaults a health practitioner, adding that it is very essential to implement this decision.
In response to a question regarding the huge financial amounts requested by hospitals in order to receive patients, the Minister of Health pointed out that “hospitals and emergencies have duties that go beyond the financial situation towards patients, especially those who are in a critical condition, where aid and assistance must be provided in the first place while the financial issue can be dealt with later on…”
In this connection, Abiad commented on the “unfortunate death” of a young girl in a hospital emergency unit, stating that the Ministry of Public Health has opened an investigation into the case, and is in the process of organizing a mechanism to receive citizens’ complaints and solve them immediately.
“The Public Health Ministry understands the huge pressures that hospitals are exposed to, and will support hospitals that carry out their duties; however, it will also be on the lookout for every hospital that takes advantage of the patient for financial matters,” Minister Abiad underscored.
Source: National News Agency