The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) announced that medical teams have assisted 166 people with basic obstetric services, and neonatal care in Tripoli.
In a tweet, UNFPA also added that 79 children were assisted in pediatric consultations funded by the European Union in Libya.
Last year, UNFPA’s Representative in Libya, Asr Toson said that over 10,000 Libyans were reached through their health services in 2021. However more than 1.3 million people out of a population of 6.9 million lack access to basic health care.
In a statement, Toson said that the armed conflict, instability, and the COVID-19 pandemic increased pressure on maternal and reproductive health services.
He confirmed that UNFPA is experiencing difficulty in delivering services in remote areas, such as Ghat in the south.
Since 2018, UNFPA deployed mobile health units across the country, providing primary maternal and child health services, including elementary and comprehensive obstetric and newborn care, family planning, case management, general consultations, and first aid.
“A large proportion of health facilities are not functional or lack supplies or human resources. We need to scale up our efforts before the situation deteriorates further,” Toson said
”We would request partners and donor institutions to come join hands with us in our pursuit to achieve a safer future for Libya and its people”, the UNFPA Envoy added.
Deputy Head of mobile medical convoys at the Ministry of Health, Fathi Aburas states that the Libyan healthcare system relied heavily on foreign workers in the past. “Nevertheless, political instability and the fragile security situation have caused a major dearth of manpower. UNFPA has provided tremendous support for expanding health coverage,” he noted.