Patients receiving treatment funded by Lebanon's Health Ministry are encountering financial challenges. In addition to their medical conditions, they are frequently asked to cover expenses exceeding the ministry's budget allocations.

The problem arises from hospitals determining their own fees, which are calculated on a daily basis for bed occupancy. Despite this, the Health Ministry only reimburses $4 per bed per day. Any difference between the hospital's fee and the ministry's reimbursement becomes the patient's responsibility.

Today, there is anticipation for a change in this process following an agreement between the parties involved. Under the new arrangement, the daily bed rate is set at $50, with the ministry covering $40 and patients paying the remaining $10.

However, there are concerns about whether hospitals will comply with this new tariff.

The increase not only impacts the daily bed rate but also affects surgical procedures. For example, the fee for intensive care has risen from around $30 (equivalent to LBP 2,625,000) to $210 (LBP 18,750,000), while the cost of a Caesarean section has surged from approximately $110 (LBP 9,975,000) to $1060 (LBP 94,450,000).

The ministry covers 80% of these fees in government hospitals and 65% in private ones.