Johnny Sands wrote in “Call Home”:
The patient received a new health blow, as the doctor’s “examination” amounted to $25, which is equivalent to half of his salary. Today, the state fights the poor regarding his health, until he fears disease. It is not enough for him that each hospital has its own dollar that differs from the black market dollar, until the doctor’s examination entered the dollar line. Another tragic reality afflicting the citizen. He lives in a state of terror, shock, and anxiety. What if he suddenly fell ill? what to do
It is not surprising that people today bid farewell to the era of medicine, and return to the old “Arab medicine”. Everything is contained. The situation has become more difficult and harsh. For their part, the doctors see in their union’s move a breakthrough on their reality line, as they also need a dose of stability in the country. Many emigrated and left a void inside hospitals, parts of which were closed. But the patient also has a right, not all groups are affordable, there is a wide segment below the poverty line.
Some patients are indifferent to the new pricing, “they pay without regret and their hearts are like honey,” according to Dr. Elias. This category does not constitute the whole of society. There is a large segment that lives on 4 million Lebanese pounds a month. How do you handle it? Do you pay the doctor’s bill, medicine, electricity or gasoline? Elias points out that “people will coexist without any objection.” The doctor preceded the Syndicate’s step and set his price in dollars. He thought that the patients would protest, but “no one said a word.” They would be a little surprised, then pay and go on a journey in search of medicine.
The country has collapsed, and it may need some additional time, as the dollarization step that withdraws from one sector to another will have repercussions for public sector employees, daily workers and demand-free workers in Lebanon’s electricity and water institutions. Other than that, all interests have come to rely on the dollar in their dealings. This means that the stranglehold will only increase on the public sector, which is experiencing successive calamities. And with every increase he gets, the dollar rises and taxes increase, or as one of the workers says, “They give us from a mile and take them twice from the second mile.”
It is true that the shock accompanied Rania as she paid the dollar doctor’s “examination”, but she did not object. I paid and went on. Many like her. However, she confirms her inability to go to the doctor once more. She has three children, what if they all catch a severe “cold” and need a doctor? This means that she will pay 75 dollars, that is, a salary and half of the salary, except for the medicine. The matter worries her, and she prays to God to bestow health on her children.
Yes, the citizen today is arming himself with supplication, now he fears everything, even death, the latter terrifies everyone because of its high cost. It seems that the government and the ruling authority are preparing a “surprise” for the citizen every day. Yesterday, the “supermarket” dollar. Today medicine, tomorrow fuel. If “the national currency is distorted,” then the dollar will take its place and the government will end the dollarization play.
Even private hospitals have their own dollar, which is more than the black market dollar, under the pretext of securing medical supplies. Where are we headed? Can the citizen be treated?
For regarding a month, Rizk kept delaying his admission to the hospital, despite his need to do so. His feet and hands were swollen from the pressure of the heart. He suffers from heart failure. He postponed his entry until he was able to provide part of the treatment, which exceeds 80 million pounds.
Rizk is currently in the hospital. Is he worried regarding the bill. Many, like him, postpone medical treatment because they are unable even to visit the doctor. Patients with heart, kidneys, and incurable diseases may be the most affected by dollarization, as there is no guarantee or sufficient health coverage. Rizk asserts that he would rather die than be humiliated by a hospital bill, “I have nothing from it, and we are waiting for donations.”
