A decision has been issued by the Minister of Public Health in the caretaker government, Firas al-Abyad, to "increase the fee for kidney dialysis sessions and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis sessions as follows: - The fee for each session of dialysis treatment in the hospital will be six million and ninety-three thousand Lebanese pounds (6,093,000), and for the physician: eight hundred and ninety-six thousand Lebanese pounds (896,000). - The fee for LDL apheresis sessions in the hospital will be fifty-four million and eight hundred and sixty-one thousand Lebanese pounds (54,861,000) and for the physician: eight hundred and ninety-six thousand Lebanese pounds (896,000). The Ministry of Public Health covers one session every three weeks, with the annual number of sessions not exceeding seventeen."
In a statement issued by the ministry, these two decisions are part of multiple steps that will be implemented sequentially, including changing hospitalization fees to make them less burdensome for patients. Al-Abyad emphasized in a statement that "the increase in the dialysis and blood fees primarily aims to support the patient without imposing any additional costs from hospitals or treating physicians under the responsibility of the state. Additionally, the two decisions ensure hospitals' and physicians' rights while considering the difficulties of the current financial situation and achieving fairness."
He affirmed that "the approval of the general budget will more comprehensively reflect on increasing hospitalization fees, reducing the additional burdens imposed on patients, and contributing to achieving the strategy of the Ministry of Public Health in ensuring the resilience of the health and medical sector in Lebanon."
