National Social Security Fund Maintains Hospital Support Amid Ongoing Crisis

Dr. Muhammad Karaki, Director General of the National Social Security Fund, has reaffirmed the organization's commitment to sustaining financial assistance for contracted hospitals and medical professionals throughout Lebanon's economic hardship. The Fund's cumulative expenditure on hospitalization and medical treatment for insured individuals has reached approximately 2.443 trillion Lebanese pounds, marking a critical effort to preserve healthcare access during the country's financial crisis.

The Fund maintains a policy of regular disbursements to healthcare facilities and physicians who honor the officially established fee schedules. A substantial portion of contracted hospitals have demonstrated compliance with approved tariffs, declining to charge patients unauthorized surcharges despite mounting operational and financial strain within the health sector.

Karaki acknowledged the resilience of numerous medical institutions that have resumed operations following the security challenges arising from Israeli military actions against Lebanon. These facilities have demonstrated notable commitment to serving displaced populations and maintaining national healthcare obligations under difficult circumstances.

On May 18, 2026, Karaki enacted Resolution No. 2820, authorizing financial advances totaling approximately 315 billion Lebanese pounds to hospitals and physicians. These funds were designated to cover 4,660 hospital treatments provided to Fund beneficiaries.

Since the beginning of 2026, the Fund has disbursed roughly 1.917 trillion Lebanese pounds exclusively for hospitalization expenses, separate from dialysis services. An additional 526 billion and 171 million liras have been allocated to dialysis treatment, which receives complete coverage through social security.

Karaki urged all healthcare providers to maintain compliance with official tariff schedules and refrain from imposing financial demands beyond patients' capacity. He emphasized that the Fund's administration "will not hesitate to implement deterrent and disciplinary actions against those who violate these standards when necessary."

The director indicated plans to introduce additional initiatives in the coming days designed to reduce financial pressures confronting Lebanon's medical and hospital infrastructure.

The Fund's sustained support reflects the critical role social security plays in protecting patients and ensuring healthcare continuity as Lebanon navigates severe economic and financial challenges that have fundamentally strained the health sector's capacity to maintain services and secure essential supplies.