Title: Al-Abyad: To Resolve the Issue of Dues Between Hospitals and Importing Companies

The caretaker Health Minister Firas Al-Abyad held a meeting with companies importing dialysis supplies, as part of a series of regular meetings aimed at ensuring the continued availability of supplies in the Lebanese market without interruptions. The companies presented to the Minister the difficulties they face with both the Central Bank and hospitals regarding the collection of their financial dues. They discussed raising a proposal to the Council of Ministers to exempt dialysis supplies from customs duties, similar to medications. Al-Abyad also met with importers of supplies for heart diseases to understand the challenges they are facing at this stage. The participants discussed proposed solutions to ensure the local market does not suffer from a shortage of these essential supplies for heart patients. The Health Minister clarified to the companies importing dialysis supplies and those importing heart disease supplies that efforts are ongoing to address the issue of dues between hospitals and importers, as well as the financial matters between the Central Bank and these companies.