The head of Libya’s National Cancer Control Authority, Haider Al-Sayeh, announced that the number of cancer patients registered in the Mohareb system has reached 23,125. The latest data highlights a significant increase in recorded cases.
Al-Sayeh told Fawasel that the figures are based on verified medical records, including passports and national ID numbers. However, he noted that many diagnosed patients remain unregistered in the system despite receiving treatment at specialised centres.
Previously, around 21,000 patients were recorded. Following the government’s decision to provide medication exclusively to registered patients, more individuals and healthcare centres rushed to complete their registration. This led to a sharp rise in the official count.
Al-Sayeh explained that the Mohareb system has improved data collection and allowed authorities to track cancer cases more accurately. However, he cautioned that it is unclear whether cancer rates are truly rising or if the system is simply identifying more cases than before.
The real causes behind the spread of cancer in Libya remain unknown. Al-Sayeh attributed this to a lack of scientific studies on the issue. He revealed that negotiations are ongoing with two international universities to conduct a comprehensive study on cancer prevalence in Libya, considering the country’s vast geography.
