Minister of Health in the caretaker government, Hamad Hassan, confirmed that the criteria for evaluating the pandemic situation remain concerning, especially with reported deaths in nursing homes, where today marked the highest death toll with 98 cases in Lebanon.
The National News Agency quoted Hassan's clarification after a meeting of the ministerial committee following up on the COVID-19 file, stating that the national vaccination plan has been approved and that a positive response to all initiatives to secure vaccines has been emphasized. He noted that the plan is progressing steadily in public hospitals, with an additional 60 beds expected to be available by next week.
The Minister of Health stressed the need to adhere to controls and standards, indicating that the desired reduction in testing rates requires collective efforts to achieve it. He highlighted that the gradual return from lockdown obliges everyone to commit to individual, family, and community preventive behaviors, most importantly the wearing of masks, while emphasizing social distancing and individual preventive actions.
Hassan revealed that the private sector has the opportunity to invest in and import vaccines after the national vaccination plan was approved, with the possibility of increasing the number of centers in various areas, all within the controls set by the Ministry of Public Health and in coordination with the national vaccination committee. He particularly noted that the technical scientific committee has granted approval for the Russian Sputnik vaccine and that next week discussions will begin regarding the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine after completing its study file. This all complements the Pfizer vaccine, which will be sourced from COVAX.
Hassan affirmed the positive engagement with all initiatives to secure vaccines from various sources. He pointed out that there are initiatives from municipalities, with direct support from the Ministers of Interior and Economy, in coordination with the Red Cross and health and social organizations, to provide 2,000 oxygen devices for home use.
Hassan mentioned that there will be another plan launched next week initiated by the Lebanese Medical Association, with calls to increase the number of hospital beds as some private hospitals respond to health requirements, given the ongoing need to raise the number of intensive care beds. He confirmed that the plan is progressing rapidly in public hospitals, with 60 additional beds to be added in the next two weeks.
The Minister of Health noted that there are many complaints regarding the private sector, which has prompted the Minister of Justice to prepare a platform to file complaints against certain private hospitals that are asked to comply, as citizens are suffering from economic conditions. He emphasized that this phase requires improving the quality of medical services, thereby enhancing the services that affect mortality rates, urging for compassionate dealings with people as living conditions are intolerable for imposing large fees.
Hassan called for increasing the number of tests for suspected cases in various regions, stressing the role of municipalities and the necessity for citizens to adhere to isolation in case of symptoms. He mentioned the increase in testing at healthcare and emergency centers to track new COVID-19 strains and identify the causes of outbreaks, especially during previous holiday periods, noting that social events like Easter and Ramadan are approaching. Compliance during this period must be accompanied by the implementation of the vaccination plan to mitigate infections.
