The death of a doctor and former Lebanese trade unionist as a result of the coronavirus on Saturday after a late hospitalization which would be linked to his inability to pay a large sum claimed from him by the hospital, caused an outcry in the medical community. Various officials responsible for following up on the case were quick to respond to clarify the facts and demand that the necessary measures be taken to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future.
According to the local news site al-Modon, thirty million LL would have been asked to the doctor to assure him a bed in a hospital, although the hospitalization of Mr. Kharrat would normally have been covered by the Order. His inability to pay this amount delayed his hospitalization, which would have resulted in his death.
This case had been denounced Saturday evening, in particular by the gathering of doctors of the Free Patriotic Current (CPL, aounist). “That is enough! A doctor died, his admission to the hospital having been delayed because he did not been able to pay the sum requested for his treatment, “said this gathering indignantly. “The medical profession, on the verge of exhaustion, has made every effort to treat the sick. Members of the Order of Physicians have submitted a proposal to cover all hospital costs in the event of coronavirus for active and retired doctors but unfortunately this decision has not yet been approved “, they lamented. “It is imperative to cover all the costs of care for doctors infected with the coronavirus and to inform hospitals,” called the organization.
Reacting to this statement and other reactions, the president of the College of Physicians, Charaf Abou Charaf, stressed that “the union spares no effort to defend the doctors”. He regretted that “certain colleagues, as usual on social networks, are exploiting this crisis situation to attack the Order and its president and accuse it of negligence and indifference”. “The union council is currently studying a proposal concerning the coverage of hospital costs for active and retired doctors who have contracted the coronavirus, in particular after certain private hospitals have asked them for significant financial compensation”, continued Mr. Charaf. He also indicated that he spoke with an official of the establishment where the doctor had been hospitalized, who assured him that no amount had been claimed upon his admission, but later, and that the payment to him. would have been returned after approval of the file by the insurance companies. According to this official, Dr Nabil Kharrat died a week after his hospitalization and after having received “the best possible medical and human treatment”. “We condemn this kind of business within the Order and will take strict measures in case it happens again,” added Charaf Abou Charaf.
Mohammad Karaké, the director of the CNSS, to which the deceased doctor was affiliated, for his part announced “having requested the opening of an investigation” into this affair. “On the basis of the results of the investigations, the management of the CNSS will take the appropriate measures”, added Mr. Karaké, recalling that a toll-free number can be contacted if a hospital refuses an admission or demands possible financial compensation.
The coronavirus pandemic has affected 317,836 people since February 2020, including 2,432 healthcare workers. Of the total number of people infected, 3,562 died and 201,137 were cured. Among the cases still active, 2,260 people are hospitalized, including 906 in intensive care, in hospitals which are at the limit of saturation.
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The death of a doctor and former Lebanese trade unionist as a result of the coronavirus on Saturday after a late hospitalization which would be linked to his inability to pay a large sum claimed from him by the hospital, caused an outcry in the medical community. Various officials responsible for monitoring the case were quick to react to clarify the facts and …
