The Information Office of Deputy Prime Minister Health Minister Ghassan Hasbani issued the following statement:

Minister Hasbani thanked the ones who call themselves “ex-Lebanese Forces members” for the statement they delivered as it enabled him to clarify the false information they gave. The medicine bill for Palestinians covered by the Ministry in 2017 was reduced to zero after the Ministry succeeded in getting the UNRWA, the UN organizations and associations fulfill their duties. The Palestinian dialysis bill covered as well by the Ministry was also reduced by 83%, while the hospitalization cases at the expenses of the Ministry were very limited, such as the critical and emergency cases that seriously threaten the lives of patients.

First: It is not true that an amount of LBP 7.5 billion was allocated yearly for the hospitalization of Palestinian patients in Lebanon during the term of Hasbani. There are three levels: the hospitalization, medicine and dialysis bills. As for hospitalization, the cases are too limited and urgent. The medicine bill has been reduced to zero in 2017, while the dialysis bill coverage included 152 non-Palestinians and 80 Palestinians in 2016 and the Ministry has succeeded in reducing the number of non-Palestinians to 20 and that of the Palestinians to half, i.e. 40.

To sum up, a comparison between 2016 and 2017 shows that the dialysis bill of Palestinians was reduced from LBP 3.2 Billion to LBP 560 million.
Second: Helping a dying Syrian child without any official identity documents at Quarantine Hospital is considered as a humanitarian honor. Is it acceptable to let a child die for the costs of his treatment are not yet provided?!! In this context, it is worth noting that the similar cases that were covered by the Ministry in 2017 are too limited and were very critical.

Third: It is not true that an employee was punished for not admitting the Syrian patient, knowing that Health Ministry is responsible for the hospitalization of the uninsured Lebanese.
 
While some people are trying to overemphasize the humanitarian role and others are keen to the public finance, the Health Minister will remain committed to the humanitarian, national and legal standards at the same time and will not be induced into their old grudges.