Libya Healthcare 101
Structure of the Healthcare
The Ministry of Health (MoH) oversees and regulates healthcare services in the state of Libya. The public and private sectors have both made efforts to establish medical facilities and centers intended for healthcare provision. The public sector concentrates on primary healthcare with an inclusion of preventive, curative, and rehabilitation services offered free of charge to its citizens.
The private sector offers secondary and tertiary healthcare services, which are situated in rural and urban areas. Currently, due to the ongoing conflicts in Libya and the COVID-19 pandemic, the centers offering these services remain closed, leaving only emergency facilities open for patients.
Financing Healthcare
Before Gaddafi’s reign was put to an end, Libya’s healthcare, like other sectors, was financed by the revenue from the oil reserves. It arguably was one of the best healthcare services in the MENA Region, and offered free healthcare for all citizens.
Now, the country’s healthcare network is stressed and overwhelmed due to the ongoing conflicts and the current COVID-19 pandemic. The government, through the Ministry of Health, finances public healthcare facilities and services including surgery and medications, which are offered at no cost to patients. Private healthcare services are financed by health insurance or out-of-pocket payments.
Investment Opportunities
Lucrative opportunities to invest in the kingdom’s healthcare space include but are not limited to:
Telemedicine
Medical Facilities
Pharmaceuticals
Start Ups & Technology
Speetar
Plus
Lisan
Opal
U Think U Move
Ematec Health
Challenges
The health sector in Libya faces challenges toward development. Such challenges include but are not limited to:
There is limited presence of healthcare staff to attend to the growing demand of medical needs, as many professionals are fleeing the country due to violence and war casualties.
The overwhelming number of refugees, especially those at the borders used to migrate to Europe, pose health risks such as increased spread of communicable diseases.
The shortage of medical supplies and equipment remains a challenge in the region.
Solutions
The government and international organizations need to work together to bring trained medical personnel to assist the overwhelmed health system.
UNHCR and the government need to find a permanent solution to the growing number of refugees at the borders to prevent a heightened risk of spreading infectious diseases.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are needed to invest in the supply of medical equipment and pharmaceuticals to meet the growing demand.