The Hospital Syndicate in Lebanon strongly condemned the "unjustified assault" that targeted the Raghib Harb Hospital in Tole - Nabatieh, in the early hours of Sunday, which led to the closure of its emergency department to patients after most of the medical equipment and supplies in the department and doctors’ examination rooms were destroyed.
In a statement, they reiterated their call to keep hospitals that continue to provide services during this economically and financially pressured phase, along with all their medical, nursing, and administrative staff, safe from all acts of violence and uncontrolled reactions, understanding the difficult living conditions being faced by a large number of Lebanese people.
They demanded "the necessary protection for hospitals and the pursuit of the assailants, as well as appropriate legal actions against them, in order to maintain the safety of patients and workers in the sector."
For its part, the administration of Sheikh Raghib Harb University Hospital explained in a statement that "on 11-3-2023, patient A.Y. was brought to the Emergency Department of Sheikh Raghib Harb University Hospital following a health crisis. After a thorough examination, the necessary medical care was provided in accordance with established medical protocols and procedures. After his passing, the emergency department was subjected to a savage attack involving assault and vandalism, which terrified patients, their families, and the medical and nursing staff, resulting in significant material losses that rendered the emergency department inoperative."
The hospital administration expressed its "condolences to the bereaved family and loved ones," lamenting the occurrence of this assault against the backdrop of the sacrifices made by the hospital and its medical and nursing staff to alleviate the suffering of the community. They referred the matter to the relevant judicial authorities and stated they would demand accountability for the assailants to prevent similar recurring assaults and preserve this generous medical institution that will always remain in service to the community.
