Libya fails to clear medical bills — hospitals association

AMMAN — Libya has not fulfilled its pledges on paying back debts of $220 million owed to Jordanian private hospitals, according to the Private Hospitals Association (PHA).

PHA President Fawzi Hammouri on Wednesday said that Libya is still “not committed” to the agreement signed with the government in December 2018, under which Libya pledged to pay its debts within four months of the signing of the agreement, according to an association statement.

The majority of Jordanian private hospitals reject any further deductions that the Libyan government is trying to impose as the due health invoices have already been audited by an accredited company that has been tasked by the Libyan government, he added.

The Libyan government attempts to impose “fait accompli policies” with unpleasant conditions are not accepted, Hammouri said.

Only three to four hospitals have accepted these conditions and received partial payment as they are experiencing difficult financial situations which may result in their closure, the statement said.  

The other hospitals insist on receiving full payment of the medical bills and do not accept any unfair settlements, especially that Libyans have been accumulating these debts since 2012, placing financial burdens on the Jordanian hospitals which also have to honour their financial commitments, the statement added.

The PHA has addressed Prime Minister Omar Razzaz to take a “decisive stance” in helping the private hospitals to attain their rights and to call on the Libyan government to honour the terms of the agreement. 

 As per the agreement, Libya has approved the audit results made by the Emirati-Jordanian company tasked by the Libyan party. 

The directors of the private hospitals have asked the association to consult international law specialists for debt collection in case the official efforts fail to resolve this crisis, according to the statement.