The caretaker Minister of Public Health, Dr. Firas Al-Abyad, held a meeting at the ministry that included representatives from the guaranteeing bodies, with the attendance of the caretaker Minister of Labor, Dr. Mustafa Bayram, the head of the Parliamentary Health Committee, Dr. Bilal Abdullah, the Director General of the Civil Servants Cooperative, Dr. Yahya Khamis, and representatives from the National Social Security Fund, the military medical services of the Lebanese Army, Internal Security, General Security, and State Security.
The meeting focused on the implementation of the electronic tracking system established by the Ministry of Public Health, which includes all ensuring bodies to monitor cancer medications, ensuring they reach those entitled to them and preventing smuggling or trafficking through interconnected electronic programs and systems. This aims to maximize the benefit from the $35 million monthly budget allocated for subsidized medications. The attendees reaffirmed the commitment of the guaranteeing bodies to this system, for which the Minister of Health will issue the necessary decisions.
It is noted that this electronic tracking system begins by creating a unique health number for the patient, registering their health file on the "Aman" program, which allows the relevant guaranteeing bodies, healthcare facilities, pharmacies, and doctors to define the medication and the quantity needed. Accordingly, the medication will be provided and tracked through the Meditrack program to confirm that the patient receives it, following the protocols set by the Ministry of Public Health for all patients.
During the meeting, Bayram confirmed the "efforts to increase the revenues of the social security system," noting that this "will lead to an increase in the coverage provided by social security for medication and hospitalization." For his part, Al-Abyad and Abdullah confirmed the "continuation of support for cancer and chronic disease medications," stressing that "there is no decision to lift the subsidy on them."
In his remarks, the Minister of Health clarified that "the support funds are still insufficient, and the aim of rationalizing their use is to prioritize patients with cancer and chronic diseases." He explained that "the electronic tracking mechanism established by the Ministry of Public Health has begun to demonstrate its effectiveness in controlling the number of patients entitled to treatment at the expense of the guaranteeing bodies, as well as regulating the flow of subsidized medications."
He stated: "The current tracking mechanism includes approximately forty medications in hospitals and eleven medications in pharmacies, and we will work to eventually include all cancer and chronic disease medications so that the subsidized medication is available to all entitled patients."
In response to the request from the Syndicate of Hospital Owners to adjust the dialysis fees amid currency fluctuations, he affirmed "a positive approach to this matter," mentioning "two cost studies being conducted by both the Ministry of Public Health and the military medical service, which will be completed soon to make the appropriate decision."
He emphasized the "necessity of safeguarding patient rights so that no unilateral actions are taken by any party before the final decision regarding the tariff is announced." Al-Abyad had previously met with the President of the ACAL Insurance Companies Association, Asaad Mirza, and the former president of the association, Eli Nasnas, in a meeting that addressed the procedures adopted by the Ministry of Public Health regarding medications, in addition to discussing potential joint cooperation projects between the association and the ministry.
