On Tuesday, the Ministry of Health of the Parliament-designated government announced a major initiative aimed at revitalizing Libya’s healthcare system.
The initiative involves the activation of the National Center for the Development of the Health System, marking a pivotal step in addressing the challenges faced by the healthcare sector amidst the country’s ongoing political divisions.
This development was highlighted in a meeting between Health Minister Othman Abduljalil and Miftah Atweelb, the Director General of the National Center for Health System Development.
Their discussions were centered on implementing the foundational actions required to get the center up and running, under Ministerial Decision No. (104) for 2024.
The talks also covered the organizational, administrative, and logistical requirements necessary for the center’s launch. The dialogue underscored the preparation of the center’s headquarters and the comprehensive administrative setup needed for its operational success.
On his part, Osama Hammad, the Prime Minister of the Parliament-designated government voiced his administration’s dedication to overhauling the healthcare landscape in Libya.
On December 2nd last year, he emphasized the government’s resolve, in collaboration with the General Command forces and the Reconstruction and Stability Committee, to transform the dire state of healthcare that has long plagued the nation.
The healthcare sector in Libya has suffered from a split, with governance divided between the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity, headed by Abdul Hamid Dbaiba, and the eastern-based government led by Hammad.
Highlighting the corruption that has led to the degradation of health facilities, Dbaiba pointed out the financial burden it has placed on the state, driving many Libyans to seek medical treatments abroad.
The launch of the National Center for the Development of the Health System by Hammad’s government is a forward-leaning move towards remedying the systemic issues within Libya’s healthcare sector.
By focusing on comprehensive structural reforms and operational enhancements, the government aims to rebuild a resilient healthcare system capable of serving the Libyan people domestically, reducing the need for medical treatment abroad, and setting the stage for a healthier future for Libya.
