Iraq, Lebanon sign deal to supply oil for medical services
Under the agreement signed on Friday April 2, Iraq is committed to supplying Lebanon with 500,000 tonnes of oil per year.
In return for this aid, Lebanon will offer expertise in the field of hospital administration and health to Iraq.
AFP - ANWAR AMRO
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
Lebanon and Iraq on Friday signed a preliminary framework agreement providing for the supply by Baghdad of oil in exchange for Lebanese assistance in terms of medical and hospital services.
Publicity
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With our correspondent in Beirut
,
Paul Khalifeh
The Lebanese parliament approved at the end of March an advance from the Treasury of 200 million dollars for the purchase of fuel necessary to supply its power stations.
But it is only a short reprieve before total blackout, because the foreign exchange reserves of the Bank of Lebanon are almost exhausted.
Under the agreement signed on Friday April 2, Iraq undertakes to supply Lebanon with 500,000 tonnes of oil per year, ie one sixth of its needs.
In return for this aid, the cedar country will offer expertise in the field of hospital administration and health to Iraq.
Iraq faces shortage of doctors and drugs
Iraq, which is the Arab country most
affected by Covid-19
, has experienced a chronic shortage of doctors, drugs and medical equipment for decades.
Lebanese experts and specialized medical teams will participate in the management of new establishments and "medical cities" in Iraq, according to the Lebanese Minister of Health, Hamad Hassan.
A Lebanese government delegation is due to pay a visit to Baghdad in the near future and a “joint technical committee” will be formed to ensure the implementation of these agreements.
Nicknamed "
the hospital of the Arab world
", Lebanon has seen its
medical and hospital sector severely affected
by the crisis.
In one year, a thousand of the most renowned doctors have already left the country.
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To read: In Lebanon, electricity already scarce has become a luxury
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