Local banks have informed importers of medical equipment and drugs of the end of the subsidy program in accordance with guidelines issued yesterday by the Banque du Liban. Banks will now refuse to grant the lines of credit necessary for the import of goods yet necessary at the official parity rate of 1507 LL / USD.
This gesture was expected due to the imminent depletion of the available monetary reserves of the Banque du Liban, which was financing this program until now.
However, the end of these subsidies should increase the financial burden of local hospitals already impacted by delays taken by the state or insurance to honor hospital bills. As a reminder, hospital prices have remained unchanged since the early 2000s while the prices of medical equipment have evolved.
Some sources indicated that they could not do otherwise than pass on part of the additional cost to patients now.
