(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — A Lebanese woman died on Saturday after she was denied admission by three hospitals, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.
“Amira Al-Akoumi arrived deceased this evening to the As-Salam Hospital in al-Qoubaiyat” in the northern Akkar district, the ministry announced.
Al-Akoumi reportedly visited Al-Youssef, Rahal, and government-run Abdullah Al-Rassi hospitals where she was denied treatment.
“The ministry acted immediately and summoned the owners of the four hospitals for an interrogation at the ministry’s building on Monday morning,” the ministry said. “They were asked to submit reports on how they dealt with Akoumi.”
Health Minister Wael Abu Faour called her death “inappropriate” and ordered an urgent investigation.
This comes after Abu Faour launched an investigation into the death of Louisette Mansour, who also died after being denied admission by several hospitals.
“I am committed to securing the right of all citizens to hospitalization while preserving their dignity, without them having to wait for their fate at the doors of the hospitals,” he said.
Abu Faour says hospitals who deny admission based on financial situations will face consequences by the Health Ministry.