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Lebanese MP Asks Expat Doctors To “Be Humble” & Come Back To Leb
You would think in light of the current circumstances in the country, Lebanese politicians would know better than to give their opinions publicly. Guess not.
In an interview with local media outlet LBCI, Lebanese Member of Parliament Hagop Pakradounian has reportedly demanded that expat doctors “be humble” and come back to Lebanon.
This comes amid the downfall of the medical sector as a direct result of the economic crisis and coronavirus pandemic. Essential health equipment has become increasingly expensive due to the skyrocketing currency exchange rate and plenty of medication is now scarce and unavailable. Healthcare personnel are exhausted, both mentally and physically, and are not being paid their dues. This is only expected to worsen when the Central Bank of Lebanon lifts subsidies on commodities in the coming months which will directly impact prices of medication.
All of the above are not enough reasons for doctors, nurses, and healthcare staff to give up on the country, in the eyes of MP Pakradounian. Instead, he believes they are not humble enough for wanting a better future for themselves and their families, away from a country that is crashing due to the political class’ corruption and negligence.
Twitter users were outraged by the MP’s statement. Here are a few reactions:
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In an interview with local media outlet LBCI, Lebanese Member of Parliament Hagop Pakradounian has reportedly demanded that expat doctors “be humble” and come back to Lebanon.
This comes amid the downfall of the medical sector as a direct result of the economic crisis and coronavirus pandemic. Essential health equipment has become increasingly expensive due to the skyrocketing currency exchange rate and plenty of medication is now scarce and unavailable. Healthcare personnel are exhausted, both mentally and physically, and are not being paid their dues. This is only expected to worsen when the Central Bank of Lebanon lifts subsidies on commodities in the coming months which will directly impact prices of medication.
All of the above are not enough reasons for doctors, nurses, and healthcare staff to give up on the country, in the eyes of MP Pakradounian. Instead, he believes they are not humble enough for wanting a better future for themselves and their families, away from a country that is crashing due to the political class’ corruption and negligence.
Twitter users were outraged by the MP’s statement. Here are a few reactions:
Lol they send their own kids abroad but expect others to live under the hellish conditions they created. https://t.co/7uFtiR29T2
— Aria (@How_Aria) October 2, 2020
My elder brother spent 10 years from his lifetime studying to get to his dream and when he made it, because of the hyperinflation, his paycheck doesn't exceed 500$ because the hospital still pays in LBP on 1520 exchange rate🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/VF97rYEMQ9
— (@typicallyDrOmar) October 2, 2020
— Salman Andary (@salmanonline) October 2, 2020
No thank you.
— Aya(t) (@Aya_Isk) October 2, 2020
My dad is a Lebanese doctor. He left Paris to return to Beirut in the 1990’s and help rebuild Lebanon.
He is now left with melted savings& 2 kids to send to uni.
Diaspora doctors are not ungrateful.
They don’t want to be taken advantage of anymore. https://t.co/dLC8bhb4HK
— Soraya Dali-Balta | (@SorayaDaliBalta) October 2, 2020
— Christian Mouawad (@ChrisMouawad93) October 2, 2020
—(@bilal_gh) October 2, 2020
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