Summary
Human Rights Watch Tuesday called out the dire financial straits of Lebanon's hospitals, saying that government leaders and Banque du Liban should act quickly to prevent dangerous shortfalls in care.
"While politicians horse trade over a new Cabinet, the government is not responding to the desperate economic situation in the country and the clock is ticking on the ability of many doctors and hospitals to treat patients".
Hospitals and medical suppliers have warned that the shortage of dollars, as well as delayed government payments, is restricting their access to basic medical equipment and supplies and their ability to provide care.
Some medical suppliers told Human Rights Watch researchers that they have not been able to import medical equipment since September, owing to the dollar crisis and restrictions on money transfers outside the country.
Salma Assi, a spokeswoman for medical supplies importers, told HRW researchers that the Central Bank decision was problematic because it does not cover new equipment or spare parts.
Some public hospitals also told Human Rights Watch they had not been getting paid.
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