Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Sami Zaptia
Published on 2024-02-21 18:42:31
Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Health of the Tripoli based Libyan government, Ramadan Abu Janah, met with 50 medical and auxiliary personnel and their families who recently arrived from Egypt. The group is part of a Health Ministry contract to bring a total of 299 personnel, aimed at addressing the shortage of specialized medical and auxiliary staff in health institutions located in the southern and remote regions of Libya.
This initiative is considered a significant milestone as it marks the first time in 15 years that the Libyan Health Ministry has successfully brought in qualified medical teams from Egypt. Previous governmental efforts had faltered for a decade and a half, leading to a lack of medical personnel in the country, particularly in the face of instability and the departure of medical teams due to security concerns.
Ramadan Abu Janah emphasized that the success in importing qualified medical personnel from Egypt reflects the government’s efforts in achieving stability and peace in the country, despite the challenges it continues to face. He also highlighted the historical relationship between Libya and Egypt, particularly in the health sector, pointing out that the experience of hiring Egyptian cadres in the 1970s has contributed to strengthening the fraternal relationship between the two countries.
The Egyptian medical team encompasses a diverse range of specializations, including consultants and specialists in areas such as psychiatry, neurology, neurosurgery, pediatrics, orthopedics, kidney disease, eye surgery, physical therapy, fertility and obstetrics, as well as specialized nursing personnel in oncology care, intensive care, neonatal care, emergency care, operations, cardiac care, and pediatric care.
It’s important to note that there is an abundance of experienced and qualified Libyan doctors, both within and outside of Libya. However, many of these doctors are not inclined to work in the south and remote regions of the country, preferring instead to practice in larger cities where they feel safer and have access to a better quality of life. Despite previous attempts by various Libyan governments to incentivize doctors to work in these underserved areas, factors such as insecurity and militia clashes have dissuaded many from doing so.
Furthermore, a large number of Libyan doctors are currently residing and working abroad, despite having been educated through Libyan government scholarships. These doctors often cite higher pay and better living conditions as reasons for choosing to work outside of Libya.
Overall, the importation of medical personnel from Egypt represents a pivotal step in addressing the critical shortage of specialized healthcare professionals in the southern and remote regions of Libya. It is a reflection of the government’s commitment to improving healthcare accessibility across the country, and serves as a testament to the enduring relationship between Libya and Egypt in the field of healthcare.
Read the original article on Libya Herald
