The Muscular Dystrophy Patients Association in Libya staged its 21st consecutive protest on Tuesday outside the Government of National Unity headquarters on Al-Sikka Road in Tripoli, calling for the basic healthcare rights guaranteed to every Libyan citizen. Patients and their families stressed that their demands are not about privileges, foreign treatment trips, grants, or positions — but simply access to essential medical care and support that allows them to live with dignity.
Participants said that providing appropriate electric wheelchairs, rehabilitation equipment, and continuous medical care is not a luxury, but a vital necessity to preserve what remains of their mobility and to stabilize their increasingly fragile spinal health. Protesters accused the government of persistent negligence, arguing that the failure to address their demands after twenty previous demonstrations shows a lack of political will to resolve the crisis.
According to the Association, 167 patients have died in recent years due to delays in receiving treatment, weak medical support, and the absence of a national comprehensive care programme. Families described the number as “painful” and a stark reflection of the suffering endured by the community.
Protesters questioned whether authorities intend to wait for another patient to die before taking action, warning that continued government silence amounts to direct neglect of citizens’ lives. They renewed calls for the creation of a specialized medical committee to follow up patient cases, the adoption of a national treatment programme both inside and outside Libya, and guaranteed periodic provision of essential medical supplies. They also urged the government to establish an official communication channel with the Association to discuss practical and sustainable solutions.
Patients insisted that their movement will continue until the government meets its responsibilities and restores dignity and proper care for Libyans living with muscular dystrophy — people who need treatment, not promises.