Kataeb MP Elias Hankache on Friday shored up private hospitals’ one-day strike across the country, as they sounded the alarm over the government’s unpaid balance.

“The government owes $1.3 billion to hospitals, since 2011,” Hankache wrote on Twitter.

“Unfortunately, even hospitals can no longer provide relief to the pained citizen,” he added.

“We stand with the patients, hospitals and the Syndicate of Private Hospitals that announced a strike out of distress as it is unable to import medical equipment and supplies,” he slammed.

“Health remains our priority,” he concluded, attaching his tweet with “We are at our last breath” hasghtag.

Most private hospitals closed their doors nationwide today halting their operations with the exception of emergency services, chemotherapy and dialysis, in protest against not getting paid by the state to import medical equipment and medicine and for being forced out of money shortage to cut down on their services.