The Health Minister of the Libyan Parliament-designated government, Othman Abdel-Jalil announced plans to implement a comprehensive health insurance program, similar to Egypt. He emphasised the challenges faced by Libyan hospitals, including a shortage of staff, lack of supplies, and negligence.
Abdel-Jalil highlighted the health disparities in the south, stating that “medical resources are concentrated in the northwest and east, leaving the south marginalized.”
He expressed that “with a unified government, medical personnel could be sent from Benghazi to the south, but the lack of budget allocation from Tripoli hinders such initiatives.”
Addressing corruption, he stated, “Corruption is rampant, with many individuals benefiting, gangs and pharmaceutical companies are controlling the situation.”
He pointed out that “corruption is a significant problem, and the entire health budget is directed to the Ministry of Health in Tripoli, covering salaries and hospital allocations.”
Furthermore, Abdel-Jalil discussed the challenges in assessing the missing and deceased in Derna. He stated that “it is difficult to determine the exact numbers,” estimating around 4,000 missing individuals and over 5,000 buried, with many unidentified.
Last week, a visiting medical team from Egypt successfully performed 11 open-heart surgeries on children with congenital heart defects at the Benghazi Medical Center.
The surgeries were conducted based on the registered lists with the local medical committees, according to a statement from the Medical Services Support and Development Agency Thursday.
This initiative is part of the domestic treatment project supported by the Government of National Unity (GNU), as stated in the press release.
Earlier this month, Abdel-Jalil, accompanied by Ahmed El-Sabki, Chairman of the Board of Healthcare Services in Egypt, conducted an inspection tour of several hospitals in Benghazi.
The delegation visited the Benghazi Medical Center, Kidney Services Center, Qaryounis Integrated Clinic, Sabri Integrated Clinic, Al-Hawari Heart Center, and Benghazi Eye Hospital.
El-Sabki and the accompanying delegation expressed admiration for the level of services, and personally covered the expenses for a case at the Kidney Center. He highlighted the continuous improvement in Libya’s healthcare sector, emphasising Egypt’s readiness for full cooperation to enhance the healthcare system.
He praised the significant role played by the Libyan Ministry of Health in advancing the healthcare system, providing the latest equipment, and medical supplies to elevate the quality of healthcare services for citizens.
In conclusion, the Egyptian official presented a shield of appreciation to Abdel-Jalil, for the warm reception and the Ministry’s significant efforts to enhance healthcare services.
Abdel-Jalil affirmed that the Ministry is working tirelessly to develop Libya’s healthcare system, especially after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Libya and Egypt.