The health care sector in Libya is on an upward trajectory following the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic. With Libya and Misrata having implemented policies to deal with challenges related to the pandemic, private enterprises have the potential to play an essential role in the development of the sector going forwards. With the support of domestic and international entities, new infrastructure and funding mechanisms are being developed to support care provision.
In March 2021 the renovation and expansion of Misrata Medical Centre − formerly Misrata Central Hospital − was completed with a 420-bed capacity. As stability returns to the country, particularly in Misrata, there are indications that the private sector has begun to see the current shortfalls in the health care market as an opportunity for investment, which has the potential to attract international capital to Libya.
In November 2022 Turkish conglomerate Karanfil Group inaugurated the Libyan Turkish Hospital in Misrata, seeking to bolster health care services in the city. With a capacity of 120 beds and an array of specialised units, the hospital aims to deliver quality medical care and diagnostic services. The hospital has 13 polyclinics, four operating rooms and a number of emergency beds, and maintains ambulance services, serving to increase the overall strength of the city’s health infrastructure.
During its initial phase, the hospital will offer a range of treatment options spanning cardiology, orthopaedics, neurosurgery, obstetrics, internal medicine, paediatrics and emergency care. Subsequent stages will introduce additional departments encompassing urology, dermatology, plastic surgery and paediatric surgery. The inauguration of the Libyan Turkish Hospital is poised to confront the challenges faced by the sector head-on, furnishing essential services to thousands of individuals. One key challenge the country is working to address is the presence of an estimated 570,000 migrants and refugees in Libya, which has put additional strain on domestic medical care infrastructure and capacity.
In July 2022 the World Health Organisation – through a donation from the government of Norway – delivered six mobile clinics to Misrata and other population centres to provide primary health care to the local population as well as internally displaced people. The main services offered include routine immunisation, ante- and post-natal care, and other reproductive health services. The mobile units also provide treatments for non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, and group counselling sessions on health promotion, representing a crucial step towards addressing the capacity gap in underserved areas.
In April 2023 Ramadan Abu Janah, deputy prime minister and acting minister of health, engaged in discussions with World Bank officials and consultants in Washington, DC, covering a range of topics, including challenges associated with health financing in Libya. The meeting was devoted to formulating a comprehensive action plan, bolstering human resources and augmenting food security. An outline for the implementation of a comprehensive health insurance project across multiple municipalities was put forth that could help to strengthen the sector while increasing the viability of private medical care facilities. The session also fostered collaboration concerning primary care initiatives and advancing family health development.
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