Lebanon’s Health Minister Ali Hassan Khalil said that starting Wednesday the Health Ministry will cease to provide medical care for patients who cannot afford any. “Since a decree for private and public hospitals allocations was not issued, the Health Ministry announces that it will cease to provide medical care for patients starting Wednesday February 20 and until further notice,” the National News Agency quoted the Health Ministry as saying in a statement issued on Monday.

Meanwhile, LBC television reported that Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi said that his ministry will pay the Health Ministry the hospitals’ dues on Tuesday. [NowLebanon]