THE HEALTH SECTOR
LIBYA’S HEALTH SECTOR FACES MANY CHALLENGES AND IS STILL, COMPARATIVE TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, UNDERDEVELOPED.
IT HAS AND IS TAKEN STEPS TO DEVELOP AND ENGAGE AND HAS SEEN A RETURN TO STABILITY, DEVELOPMENT AND ENGAGEMENT IN THE LAST 2 YEARS.
WHILST THIS BRIEF DOCUMENT GIVES A SHORT HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE HEALTH SECTOR IT BY NO MEANS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A COMPREHENSIVE OR ANALYTICAL DOCUMENT
PLEASE CONTACT THE BRITISH LIBYAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION IF YOU REQUIRE FURTHER INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE TO HELP GUIDE YOU IN DEVELOPING OPPORTUNITIES AND COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES IN LIBYA.
A BRIEF HISTORY
The Libyan health system went through different stages during its formation over the past hundred years, beginning with the period of the Italian occupation of Libya, when healthcare was almost confined to cities, but with limited resources and lack of coverage, the existing facilities were effective. After independence, the country’s resources were limited relying mainly on international assistance, especially from the United Nations and its affiliated organizations.
After the discovery of oil in the Libyan desert and the availability of independent finance, the government at that time began to develop a detailed and ambitious plan to modernize the health sector, increase investments in expanding coverage and prepare the necessary infrastructure.
After the military coup in 1969, these plans were adopted and put into practice. The seventies were marked by a significant improvement in health services. During that period, the Libyan health system was built on three main levels:
- primary health care through health units and dispensaries
- intermediate health care (specialized clinics and minor operations) through group clinics, and
- specialized services provided by public hospitals and specialized centers
The investments made and the political will at that time ensured the provision of good and free health care.
At the end of the seventies and the beginning of the eighties, a new phase began that saw the deterioration of health services resulting from the reduction of spending and the emergence of administrative corruption. This deterioration in the level of health services led to a lack of confidence in the Libyan health system and an increase in the rates of out-of-pocket spending for citizens (43%), this led to a tendency to seek treatment abroad at private and public expense. With the collapse of the regime in 2011 and the almost complete collapse of the health system, it became imperative for health professionals to think about saving, reforming, and developing it.
In August 2012, the Health Systems Conference was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, in the presence of 500 Libyan experts and health professionals and with the participation of international experts from all over the world and from many international organizations, especially the World Health Organization. Those gathered in this conference reached a consensus on the main foundations that must be available or reformed in the Libyan health system, and a document of recommendations was issued that was published in the “Libyan Medical Journal”.
The European Union, at the initiative of its embassy in Tripoli, adopted the decisions of the conference and presented a project to “strengthen the Libyan health system,” and concluded an agreement with the Ministry of Health to implement it.
At the beginning of 2013, the steering committee and work teams were formed, led by members of the Organizing and Scientific Committee of the Conference on Health Systems and directors of departments at the Ministry of Health to develop operational plans and implement them in practice. The work teams made great progress in developing implementation plans, but the conditions of the state at that time led to the inability of the Ministry of Health to fulfill the financial obligations necessary for implementation.
Subsequently and due to the prevailing conditions of security and political instability, the project was suspended in October 2014 only to resurface again albeit in a different format in mid-2016.
After reviewing the work plans of the project and the slow implementation and discussing the reasons, as well as the emergence that there are many local and international bodies doing the same work on reforming the Libyan health system, the need arose to form a national institution to lead and coordinate reform and restructuring efforts with the following objectives:
- Leading the change process. Plan and implement the necessary changes that allow the system to form and emerge according to the agreed strategy and structure.
- Coordinating local and international efforts seeking to support the health system to ensure achieving the same objectives and avoiding conflict and repetition.
- Building itself as a healthcare advisory group that ensures decision support and policy approval based on scientific facts.
To ensure the achievement of these goals and the need for coordination between many government agencies related to public health, such as the Ministries of Labor, Local Government, Finance, Transportation, and others, it was decided to establish the “National Center for Health System Development,” which reports directly to the Prime Ministry, this was mandated under Resolution No. (255) issued in March 2017.
It is worth noting that all medical and treatment services provided by the Ministry of Health and the public health sector are completely free. There are more than 120 government hospitals and 1,600 health centers, this does not include the private sector clinics that spread significantly after the revolution.
Healthcare in Libya has faced significant challenges due to years of political instability, economic sanctions, and armed conflict. The healthcare system in Libya is funded and managed by the government, and it provides free healthcare to all citizens. However, the quality of healthcare services and medical infrastructure varies across the country.
In major cities like Tripoli, Benghazi, and Misrata there are large public hospitals and private healthcare facilities that provide a range of services. However, these facilities often face shortages of medical equipment, medications, and qualified medical staff. Patients may also face long wait times to receive treatment, and many opt to seek medical care abroad in countries like Tunisia or Egypt.
In rural areas and remote regions, access to healthcare is even more limited, and people often rely on community health centers or traditional healers. Additionally, the ongoing conflict and political instability in Libya has disrupted the healthcare services, leading to shortages of medications, medical supplies, and staff.
The government has invested in new medical infrastructure, including hospitals and medical clinics, and has implemented a system to provide financial support for patients who require medical treatment abroad.
Libya has a relatively high level of public health expenditure compared to other African countries, with the government allocating a significant portion of its budget to healthcare. However, the ongoing political and economic instability has made it difficult to maintain and expand healthcare services, and the country faces shortages of essential medical supplies, equipment, and medications.
One major issue facing the healthcare system in Libya is the shortage of qualified medical staff, particularly in specialized fields like surgery and pediatrics. Many healthcare professionals have left the country due to ongoing conflict, political instability and the comparative low salaries leaving a significant gap in the healthcare workforce.
Another challenge is the lack of access to healthcare services for marginalized and vulnerable populations, including refugees, migrants, and people living in remote areas. These groups often face barriers to accessing healthcare services, including language barriers, cultural differences, and financial constraints.
Despite these challenges, there are initiatives underway to improve healthcare in Libya. The World Health Organization and other international organizations have provided support to the Libyan government in strengthening its healthcare system, including training medical staff, improving healthcare infrastructure, and providing essential medical supplies.
In addition, there are efforts to expand access to healthcare services for vulnerable populations. For example, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has established primary healthcare clinics in refugee camps, and international organizations have provided support for mobile medical clinics to reach remote and underserved areas.
By a ministerial decree in 2012, the Ministry of Health was administratively reorganized and restructured so as to include the following departments,
- Health Planning Department.
- Project management.
- Quality management and patient safety.
- Primary Health Care Administration.
- Hospital Affairs Department.
- Department of health services affairs for the regions.
- Department of Laboratories and blood banks.
- Nursing Administration.
- Private sector management.
- Department of Pharmacy, equipment, supplies, and medical supplies.
- Financial affairs department.
- Administration and Services Department.
- Human Resources Management.
- Department of Information, Awareness, and Health Education.
- Health expenditure management.
- Inspection and Follow-up Department.
- Office of Legal Affairs.
- The Office of Internal Audit.
- International Cooperation Office.
- Office of the Affairs of the Central Committees for Treatment.
- Minister’s office.
Overall, while the healthcare system in Libya faces significant challenges but there are significant efforts underway to improve access to healthcare services and strengthen the healthcare workforce.
Libya continues to work toward improvement by engagement with an example being The Libyan Health Care Exhibition 2023 held in June with the participation of 450 local and international companies.
The role that the International Centre and commercial engagement in Libya place cannot be underestimated it will require a combination of governmental, NGO and private engagement to develop of the sector to the international standards it’s tries to achieve.
There are many public hospitals in Libya. Here is a list of some of the major public hospitals in each of the country’s regions:
TRIPOLI REGION
- Tripoli Central Hospital
Tripoli Central Hospital is a major healthcare facility located in the heart of the Libyan capital, Tripoli. It is a large public hospital that serves the local population as well as patients from other parts of the country.
The hospital boasts a rich history of serving as the city’s premier trauma center for the past three decades of the 20th century. Even today, it remains the primary destination for those in need of urgent medical attention.
Furthermore, the hospital has established itself as one of the two principal teaching hospitals for Tripoli University’s medical-sciences department, cementing its reputation as a leading institution in the region. The other teaching hospital, the Tripoli Medical Center, is equally well-regarded.
In 2005, the hospital added another feather to its cap when it became the site of the Libyan National Organ Transplantation Program. An entire building annexed to the old surgery now serves as the dedicated transplantation department, adding another critical service to the hospital’s already impressive array of offerings.
With outpatient clinics and departments seeing a staggering 250,000 cases in 2019, the hospital’s tireless staff remains committed to providing exceptional care to each and every patient who walks through its doors.
Tripoli Central Hospital, like many other public hospitals in Libya, faces several challenges that impact its ability to provide high-quality healthcare services to patients. Some of the challenges facing the hospital include:
- Security concerns: The hospital is located in an area that has experienced conflict and instability in recent years, which has made it difficult for staff to provide medical care in a safe and secure environment.
- Lack of funding: The hospital faces chronic underfunding, which has led to a shortage of medical supplies and equipment, as well as a lack of maintenance and repairs for the hospital’s infrastructure.
- Staff shortages: The hospital has a shortage of qualified medical staff, including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. This shortage is due in part to the ongoing conflict in the country, which has led many healthcare workers to leave Libya in search of safer working conditions and better opportunities elsewhere.
- Electricity and water shortages: Like many other institutions in Libya, the hospital suffers from intermittent power outages and water shortages, which can impact the hospital’s ability to provide healthcare services to patients.
- Limited access to medications: The hospital often faces shortages of essential medications, which can impact patient care and lead to delays in treatment.
Despite these challenges, the staff at Tripoli Central Hospital remains committed to providing high-quality medical care to patients. The hospital has implemented several strategies to address these challenges, including improving security measures, seeking additional funding sources, and recruiting and retaining qualified medical staff. However, continued support and investment in the hospital and the wider healthcare system in Libya are needed to address these challenges and ensure that patients receive the care they need.
- Al Khadra Hospital
Al Khadra Hospital is a general hospital located in Tripoli. The hospital is one of the largest medical facilities in Tripoli and provides a wide range of medical services to patients.
The hospital was founded in 1976 and has undergone several renovations and expansions to accommodate the growing demand for healthcare services in the area.
Al Khadra Hospital offers a wide range of medical services, including emergency care, surgery, radiology, laboratory services, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, cardiology, and neurology. The hospital also has specialized clinics for diabetes, hypertension, and respiratory diseases.
The hospital is staffed by a team of highly qualified medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and support staff. The staff is committed to providing high-quality medical care to patients and is known for its compassionate and personalized approach to patient care.
Al Khadra Hospital has played an important role in the healthcare system of Libya, particularly during times of conflict and crisis. The hospital has provided medical care to people affected by various conflicts and emergencies in the country, including the 2011 Libyan Civil War.
Al Khadra Hospital is a public hospital operated by the Ministry of Health of the Libyan government. It is in the Al Hadba Al Khadra neighborhood of Tripoli and serves as a referral hospital for patients from across the city and surrounding areas.
In addition to providing general medical services, Al Khadra Hospital also has specialized departments and clinics. These include a cancer center, a hematology and oncology department, a dialysis unit, a physiotherapy department, and a burn unit. The hospital also has an intensive care unit (ICU) and a neonatal ICU to provide critical care to patients in need.
The hospital has a training program for medical students and offers opportunities for medical residents to gain practical experience in various medical specialties. The hospital also conducts medical research and participates in national and international medical conferences and workshops.
Al Khadra Hospital has faced many challenges over the years, including a lack of medical supplies and equipment, insufficient staffing, and political instability. The hospital has also been affected by the ongoing conflict in Libya, with reports of damage to the hospital’s infrastructure and interruptions to medical services.
- Tripoli Medical Center (Tripoli University Hospital)
Tripoli Medical Center is the largest hospital in the Libyan capital city of Tripoli, was opened in 1996 with 1450 beds, 1000 doctors, and approximately 3000 employees. It is located to the east of the city and is adjacent to Tripoli University for Medical Sciences.
The center contains 12 outpatient clinics for each: (dermatology – neurology and neurosurgery – urology – nose, ear, and throat – Ophthalmology – orthopedic- Pediatric- gynecology – dental – endocrinology – blood diseases and tumors – cardiology).
- Abu Slim Trauma Hospital
Abu Slim Trauma Hospital is a major hospital in Tripoli, Libya, which specializes in the treatment of trauma-related injuries. It is one of the leading hospitals in the country for emergency and critical care services and provides specialized care for patients who have suffered severe injuries due to accidents, violence, or other traumatic incidents.
The hospital has a large emergency department, which is equipped with advanced medical equipment and staffed by highly trained medical professionals. The emergency department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and provides immediate medical care for patients who require urgent treatment.
Abu Slim Trauma Hospital has a specialized trauma center, which is designed to provide comprehensive care for patients who have suffered serious injuries. The trauma center is equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology, such as CT scanners, MRI machines, and surgical suites, and is staffed by a team of highly skilled trauma surgeons, anesthesiologists, and critical care nurses.
Abu Slim Trauma Hospital is located in the Abu Slim district of Tripoli and is easily accessible to patients in the area.
- Tajoura Cardiac Hospital (The National Heart Center)
Tajoura Cardiac Hospital, also known as the National Heart Center, is a specialized hospital in Tripoli, Libya, dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases. It is one of the largest and most advanced cardiac hospitals in the country and serves as a referral center for patients with complex cardiac conditions from across Libya and the surrounding regions.
The hospital is staffed by a team of highly trained and experienced cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who provide comprehensive care to patients with various heart conditions.
Tajoura Cardiac Hospital provides a wide range of cardiac services, including diagnostic tests, such as electrocardiograms (ECGs), echocardiograms, and stress tests, as well as interventional procedures, such as cardiac catheterization and angioplasty. The hospital also provides open-heart surgeries, such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve replacements, and repairs.
The hospital has a specialized cardiac rehabilitation program that helps patients recover from heart surgery and other cardiac procedures.
The hospital is located in the Tajoura district of Tripoli.
- Tripoli Eye Hospital
Tripoli Eyes Hospital is a specialized medical facility located in the capital city of Libya, Tripoli in Zawyat Dahmani. It is a renowned hospital that provides comprehensive ophthalmic services to patients from the local area and beyond.
The hospital is equipped with advanced medical technologies and staffed by experienced ophthalmologists and eye care professionals who specialize in various subspecialties of ophthalmology. The hospital offers a wide range of services, including routine eye exams, diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases and disorders, and surgeries such as cataract surgery, LASIK, and corneal transplant.
Tripoli Eyes Hospital is dedicated to providing high-quality eye care services to its patients and employs a patient-centric approach to ensure the comfort and satisfaction of its patients. The hospital also places a strong emphasis on patient education and strives to empower patients with the knowledge they need to manage their eye health and prevent future eye problems.
In March of this year, after over a decade of suspension, the operations department of the Eye Hospital was reopened. As a leading healthcare facility in the region, this department aims to provide the local population with access to high-quality care, reducing the need for patients to seek treatment abroad and endure high costs and a challenging journey.
The Director of the Eye Hospital, Dr. Rania Al-Khawja, stated that the hospital is one of the largest specialized departments in the Arab region and will play a significant role in providing local treatment options.
Tripoli Eye Hospital is an important healthcare resource in Tripoli and the surrounding region, providing specialized eye care services to patients with various ophthalmic conditions and disorders.
CYRENAICA REGION:
- Benghazi Medical Center.
- Al-Jalaa Hospital.
- Tobruk Medical Center.
- Marj Medical Center.
- Derna Medical Center.
- Al-Baida Medical Center.
- Al-Kufra Medical Center.
FEZZAN REGION:
- Sabha Medical Center.
- Al-Qatrun Hospital.
- Ghat Medical Center.
- Ubari Medical Center.
- Murzuk Medical Center.
- Al-Shati Medical Center.
Northwestern Region:
- Sabratha Medical Center.
- Al-Zawiya Medical Center.
- Yefren Medical Center.
- Gharyan Medical Center.
- Al-Rajban Hospital.
- Zuwarah Medical Center.
- Surman Medical Center.
Central Region:
- Misrata Medical Center.
- Zliten Medical Center.
- Sirte Medical Center.
- Houn Medical Center.
- Jufra Medical Center.
As mentioned earlier, it’s important to note that the quality of healthcare services and medical infrastructure varies across the country, and many healthcare facilities in Libya face shortages of medical equipment, medications, and qualified medical staff. Additionally, the ongoing conflict and political instability in the country have disrupted healthcare services in many areas.
PRIVATE SECTOR:
The private health sector is considered a new in Libya, as the public health sector was the first PROVIDER with free, subsidized services for all citizens and provides services of no less quality than sophisticated countries, Because the government directly supported the health sector in all regards, including by hiring foreign doctors, specialists, and nursing staff as well as the modern equipment and devices required by the need, and this situation continued until the collapse of the Gaddafi regime in 2011.
At that time, some private clinics offered healthcare services, such as specialist care, where the clinic offered particular services in one area, like orthopedics, ophthalmology, or cardiology, while others offered general medical and treatment services, like first aid, internal medicine, a general practitioner, or even surgeons.
In 2014 It was evident that private clinics had proliferated as the public health sector started to crumble, and that there was a growing reluctance to visit public hospitals and health centers. Some clinics tended to have one specialization and to develop services in this field.
Specialized physicians and surgeons with credentials and experience from technologically advanced countries like the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Germany have emerged in some cases.
This helped the private sector to develop and begin to spread on a larger scale.
The following is a list of some of the private clinics that were or are operating in Libya
TRIPOLI:
- Al-Fouz Clinic for Heart Diseases.
- Ghout Al Shaal Specialized Hospital.
- Swiss Libyan Medical Centre.
- Al-Masara Clinic.
- Al-Fath Hospital.
- Alkhalil Hospital.
- Al-Razi Clinic.
- Arab Clinic.
- Al-Sindan Medical Center.
- aliistiqlal Clinic.
- Al-Mutawakel Clinic.
- qurtubat Clinic.
- Noor Al-Oyoun Clinic.
MISURATA:
- Al-Hikma Hospital.
- Al Jazeera Orthopedic Hospital.
- Salam Hospital.
- Swehli Clinic.
- alhayaa Clinic.
- Golden Crescent Hospital.
- Baylasan Clinic.
- Al Safwa Hospital.
- Salam Hospital.
BENGHAZI:
- Ibn Sina Clinic.
- Compassionate Mother Clinic.
- First Technical clinic.
- Alnukhbaa Clinic.
- Bait Al Shifa Specialized Clinic.
- Optimal Care Clinic.
- Modern city clinic.
- Salvium Medical Center.
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