The Criminal Court in Tripoli has sentenced the General Manager of Al-Shuweref Hospital, his deputy, and a contracted execution officer to four years in prison for embezzling 3,560,000 Libyan dinars.
The court has ordered the convicted individuals to return the mentioned amount, and fined each of them 4,000 dinars. The verdict follows corruption charges filed by the Attorney General’s Office.
The case involves a conspiracy between the hospital Director, his deputy, and the execution management commissioner. They allegedly conspired not to supply contracted medical equipment and supplies, submitting falsified official documents, indicating the receipt of equipment and supplies to illicitly gain financial benefits.
Previously, the court sentenced two Ministry of Health employees to one year in prison, fined them a thousand dinars, and acquitted the financial controller of the charges related to the same case.
In another context, the Prime Minister of the Libyan Parliament-designated government, Osama Hammad has affirmed his government’s commitment to develop the country’s healthcare sector.
Addressing the “Development of the Health System in Libya” conference, Hammad highlighted swift initiatives, including building and upgrading hospitals, supplying crucial medical equipment, and enhancing the skills of healthcare professionals across the country.
This will be conducted in collaboration with the Libyan National Army (LNA), and the Reconstruction and Stability Committee of Benghazi.
Hammad noted the historical neglect of Libya’s healthcare sector, emphasising the struggles of citizens with limited incomes, who faced challenges accessing treatment abroad.
Citing internal and external challenges, he stressed the urgency of addressing issues exacerbated by events like September’s deadly floods. He called for immediate action and responsible handling of obligations.
The division in Libya’s health sector between the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) and Hammad’s government adds complexity to the ongoing efforts to improve healthcare services.
During the Misrata clinics complex opening, GNU Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba acknowledged corruption’s role in the sector’s decline, and emphasized the state’s financial burden, prompting Libyan patients to seek treatment abroad.
Last month, Ramadan Abu Janah, the Deputy Prime Minister, and Acting Minister of Health of the GNU discussed the launch of a joint plan with the World Health Organization (WHO) for 2024-2025. The plan aims to improve the efficiency of the healthcare system and its personnel, including medical and support staff.