The Director of Tajoura Heart Hospital, Abdulraouf Faris, has raised alarm over a critical shortage of medical staff and essential medications, citing a lack of support from Abdulhamid Dbeibah’s government and relevant authorities.
In a recent press statement, Faris revealed that despite repeated appeals, the hospital’s requests for additional personnel have been ignored. He also pointed out that delays in salaries for the hospital’s contracted foreign medical staff have forced many to resign, with the current system of paying wages on credit proving unsustainable.
“We are facing a severe shortage of heart disease medications, much like most hospitals across Libya. This directly affects the quality of care we can provide. Yet, despite these challenges, we continue to operate with the limited resources available, offering specialised cardiac surgeries and catheterisation procedures to patients from all over the country,” Faris stated.
He emphasised that, despite financial and logistical difficulties, the hospital remains committed to performing complex and life-saving cardiac operations—even those that require significant expertise and resources.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.
