The Libya Minister of Health of the Interim Government of National Unity (GNU), Ali Al-Zanati, discussed paying part of the debt owed by the Libyan state in favour of Jordanian hospitals and medical centres, with his Jordanian counterpart, Firas Hawari. They discussed this after reviewing them through the review and audit committees.
The meeting, which was held in the Jordanian capital, Amman, touched upon ways to strengthen bilateral relations between Libya and Jordan, especially in the field of joint health cooperation, according to a statement issued by the Libyan Ministry of Health.
The statement added that the Jordanian Minister welcomed Al-Zanati’s visit to Jordan. He praised his proposals for developing cooperation relations between the two countries in the field of oncology and heart surgery, as well as exchanging experiences and activating joint cooperation agreements to train and qualify health personnel in Libya.
Last year, the conclusion of the report of the Ministry of Health’s Committee for Reviewing and Approving Debt Treatment Abroad, said that Libya will pay its financial dues to health institutions in Jordan after completing the work of the audit and review committees. This would occur at rates ranging from 20% to 25% of the total debts, provided that new sick cases are accepted from Libya for treatment, as well as the conclusion of new treatment contracts.
Last October, Zanati, held talks with with members of the Committee, formed according to the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 262/21. They discussed the results of the Committee’s meetings to review the debts owed by the Libya state in preparation for their payment.
According to the committee’s reports, the financial dues will be paid to health institutions in Jordan and Turkey after completing the work of the audit and review committees based on the above-mentioned percentages and conditions.
In accordance with the tasks entrusted to it, the committee shall review and audit the debts owed to creditors abroad for treatment and accommodation. This in addition to preparing accurate accounting reports in preparation for negotiation.
It will also provide a database showing the negative and positive points of financial claims that are a basis for negotiation, as well as the approval of any measures previously taken or amended, as required by the public interest.
They recalled that the medical treatment of Libyans abroad, and especially that of militias, is suspected of much financial abuse and irregularities. This often happened with the connivance of Libyan patients.
For example, there are reports that prices were inflated, patients were billed for treatments or medicines they did not receive and stays in hospital or accommodation were extended without medical merit.