Libya’s Ministry of Health has completed a review of the qualifications of 91,317 employees as part of a broader plan to reorganise the country’s healthcare sector, revealing that only 4,703 workers hold a bachelor’s degree in medicine.
The ministry said the review uncovered significant imbalances in the distribution and qualifications of personnel across the health sector.
According to the findings, 18,020 employees fall under the categories of medical and allied health staff, while 35,026 occupy administrative, managerial and service positions. The review also found that the qualifications of 33,568 employees could not be determined.
Siraj Al-Souri, adviser to the health minister and deputy head of the committee responsible for preparing the new organisational structure and staffing plan, said the review exposed an accumulation of unqualified personnel in medical positions, affecting the efficiency of healthcare management and service delivery.
He said some employees working in the health sector hold educational, industrial and other qualifications unrelated to medicine, while the country faces a clear shortage of doctors and allied healthcare professionals.
Al-Souri said the ministry has completed a new staffing structure and has begun implementing a plan to redistribute employees in coordination with relevant authorities.
Under the plan, employees will be transferred to institutions that match their qualifications. Those with educational degrees will be reassigned to the Ministry of Education, while holders of other qualifications will be moved to appropriate government bodies.
The ministry also highlighted shortages in several critical medical specialities, including anaesthesia, intensive care and midwifery.
A number of hospitals continue to suffer from a lack of operating theatre staff and specialised medical personnel, the ministry said.
Libya’s Health Ministry said it will continue implementing its restructuring programme to improve the distribution of healthcare workers and enhance the efficiency of medical services across the country.