The caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati confirmed regarding the mechanism the government will adopt to secure funds for supporting the purchase of cancer and chronic disease medications, as well as dialysis supplies and more, that this support will continue. He reassured citizens that there will be no leniency in this matter. During a meeting he chaired to discuss the health sector, attended by Minister of Health Firas Al-Abyad and MP Bilal Abdullah, Miqati outlined the solutions the government is working on with the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Lebanon. He emphasized the utmost importance of this issue and assured that solutions would be available, whether through special drawing rights or other dollar revenues for the government.
Regarding hospitalization, Al-Abyad noted that the Ministry of Health's budget was set last year when the dollar equaled 35,000 Lebanese pounds, and its actual value has diminished following changes in the exchange rate. There was insistence from members of the parliament and support for the Ministry of Health to ensure that its budget meets the concerns of citizens who bear significant burdens at the hospital gates. Hence, the importance of supporting the hospitalization budget, which is currently being discussed in government budget sessions. Miqati promised support for the Ministry of Health and its budget to facilitate the ministry in securing necessary provisions, especially in emergencies and other cases.
MP Abdullah stated, "Everything we have done and will do will not meet the complete health needs of the Lebanese people, but we are trying as much as possible to provide the minimum required health care and safety for Lebanese citizens. We are cooperating with the Minister of Health in all files, and today there is mutual cooperation with members of the Health Committee in asking Miqati, who responded gratefully, to attempt to raise the Ministry of Health's budget from 4 trillion to 10 trillion Lebanese pounds." He hoped for ministers' responsiveness on this issue so that the minister and his team could at least ensure some health coverage, especially in government centers, emphasizing that the Minister of Health has supported the public healthcare sector since taking office. It was also highlighted the importance of ensuring continuity in providing medications for patients with chronic and cancerous diseases by any means possible, whether through special funds or others.
**President of the Lebanese University**
The President of the Lebanese University, Bassam Badran, thanked Miqati after their meeting at the Grand Serail for the progress on the university staffing decree, noting that it has not been disrupted even for one day throughout 2023. He stated, "We are continuing to demand all rights and requests of the professors, and today the staffing file was approved, so a big thank you to Miqati, to the ministers, and to the Secretary General of the Council of Ministers for this effort. This file was sent in 2021, and there are some points that need adjustments due to elapsed time, and we will work to prepare all the required matters as soon as possible." He explained that the subjects of promotions and the condition of hourly-contract professors seeking permanent contracts were also discussed, expressing optimism for positive outcomes for all these files to protect the Lebanese University and its 70,000 students, ensuring their future, highlighting that the university’s academic level and reputation for its graduates prove daily it is a significant contender at both the Lebanese and Arab levels and on a global scale.
**Bou Habib and Sleem**
The Prime Minister discussed ministry affairs with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Abdullah Bou Habib, in a meeting held at the Grand Serail today. Miqati also met with Minister of National Defense Major General Maurice Sleem to discuss matters related to his ministry.
**MP Al-Hachimi**
MP Bilal Al-Hachimi examined regional issues after his meeting with Miqati, addressing several topics, including the sewage network in the Bar Elias area, where there are about five kilometers without a network, in addition to the status of the water network in Talabaya, which has been nonoperational for years, even though the network exists and needs to be interconnected.
**General Labor Union**
The President of the General Labor Union, Bcharrah Asmar, demanded the continuation of services in the social security fund, which have become very limited, following his meeting with Miqati alongside the Director General of the National Social Security Fund, Mohamed Karaki, to address the fund's conditions. He remarked, "The process of benefiting one-third of the Lebanese population from the National Social Security Fund should be activated along with the rights of employees receiving four salaries according to the decree recently issued by the Council of Ministers."
**Riza**
Miqati received the United Nations humanitarian coordinator, Imran Riza, in the presence of his advisor, Ziad Miqati. The discussion included the "International Conference on Sustainable Development" that will be held in New York, monitoring Lebanon's participation in it, as well as a review of all developmental projects in Lebanon.
