Franjieh says medical costs must be cut and debts met

Lebanese Minister of Health Suleiman Franjieh said on October 7 that the cost of hospitalization must be decreased and that health care is the responsibility of all related sectors.

"A decrease in health care charges cannot be established with a high political decision nor at the push of a button. Rather it's a natural consequence of the amendment of the health care system in a scientific manner," he said.

Franjieh was speaking at the opening of the eighth international congress of health and hospitalization and the third total health care exhibition, held simultaneously at the Forum de Beirut, and attended by 400 people. He said the health care system was "disabled" and that health care policies, acceptable 50 years ago, were now "rotten."

Public hospitals exist only in name, Franjieh said, and promised 1998 will be the year of reforming treatment, medications, and the quality of services.