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Libya International Health Insurance / Healthcare System |
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 Libya is situated in North Africa with a coast line flanking the Mediterranean Sea, it shares its borders with Egypt, Sudan, Chad, Algeria, Tunisia and Niger. It is estimated that the capital Tripoli has a population of more than a 1 million people, with a total population in the country exceeding 6.3 million people. The discovery of vast oil and gas reserves in the late 1950's enabled the Libyan economy to expand and develop. After decades of being outcast by the international community, Libya has gradually started to build international ties with western nations again.
The public healthcare system in Libya has developed over recent years, largely by economic growth achieved through the export of oil and natural gas.
The Libyan healthcare system is generally below standards experienced in western nations. There are privately operated healthcare facilities in the capital Tripoli, which offer better standards of healthcare services compared to state-run healthcare facilities. If a visitor to Libya does require medical treatment, Libyan healthcare providers will usually be able to stabilize a patient’s condition within a state-run hospital or private healthcare facility. If further, more advanced, treatment is required, a patient will normally need to transfer to a medical facility in nearby Malta or to a medical center in Western Europe. Foreign nationals are urged to ensure that their Libyan international health insurance includes medical air evacuation services and medical repatriation in case of extreme healthcare requirements.
Modern medical care, and sometimes medications, may not be readily available within Libya. Even though some healthcare professionals working in Libya have been trained in either the USA or Europe, the overall provision of adequate healthcare services beyond basic treatment in Libya is inadequate. A high number of Libyan citizens will seek treatment for ailments such as heart disease abroad in-order to be provided with quality medical care.
The Libyan government provides citizens of the country with public healthcare services free of charge at the point of use, including preventive, curative and rehabilitation treatments from healthcare centres and district hospitals. The General People's Committee (GPC) - operated through the Central Health Body - has the duty of directing and monitoring the Libyan health services and ensuring that the overall standard of health services is provided to a level acceptable within the country. The provision of primary and secondary healthcare is executed at a local level in Libya.
The Libyan administrative system is largely decentralized, with the country divided into 33 districts (shabiats). Each shabiat has an operative secretariat to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate development projects and services in its allotted region. There is a Libyan central coordination body, which is entrusted with consolidation of the Libyan national plans, funding, budgeting and reporting for the healthcare sector. The Shabiats have significant powers to self-govern within their territories, with delegated responsibility for the local healthcare system to ensure citizens have access to public healthcare services.
While Libyan healthcare services are predominantly decentralized, the Tripoli Medical Centre and Tajouran Cardiac Hospital are overseen centrally by the Central Health Body. The 33 Shabiats are assigned the responsibility of overseeing preventive, curative and rehabilitative healthcare services, along with health promotion in their region. In the past, the Libyan healthcare system has been under-funded, which has affected the satisfactory supply of healthcare services; however, the Libyan government has stated that it will increase funding for the health sector budget in the future.
Much of the provision for public healthcare services is focused on primary care at a localized level, while significant amounts are spent on Libyan citizens obtaining medical treatments in other countries - it was reported that the Libyan government spent approximately 60 million Libyan dinars (LD) (US$48.8 million) annually on overseas treatment for Libyan citizens. The Libyan health sector has invested heavily in immunization programmes in recent years, which has meant that the majority of the population have been vaccinated against various diseases contributing to improvements in the general health of the population.
The private healthcare sector is emerging in the country and currently provides a better standard of healthcare compared to the state run system - especially in Tripoli. The Libyan government has encouraged the expansion of private family clinics and hospitals within the country and there has been a steady growth of privately operated healthcare facilities. The private healthcare sector is slowly expanding partly because large companies operating in Libya provide subsidized private medical insurance for employees. As Libya re-establishes relations with European and American governments, the long term future for expansion of the private healthcare sector is positive as demand grows from the increasing wealth of the local community and from the number of expatriate workers.
The Tripoli Medical Center is a publicly operated hospital with approximately 1450 beds and 1000 doctors. The hospital is a referral hospital and provides a comprehensive range of medical services. In 2006, the Libyan government allocated a multi-million dollar budget for the Libyan health sector, with the Tripoli Medical Centre being a major part of a plan to improve healthcare services.
The Al Afia Hospital is also based in the capital Tripoli, providing in-patient and out-patient care. There is a surgical team present in the hospital, providing a range of medical treatments and healthcare services. The Al Afia Hospital is one of Libya's more comprehensive healthcare providers and foreign nationals seeking treatment may feel more comfortable receiving treatment from this healthcare facility as it is one of the more modern in the country.
The Al Khadra Hospital was established in the 1960's designed to provide healthcare services for patients across the country and can cater for more than 500 in-patients; it offers one of the better comprehensive healthcare medical services in the country. Emergency services, intensive care units, laboratories, operating theaters, immunization clinics, paediatric care and a surgical team are all present within this hospital.
The St. James Clinic has been established in recent years and caters for expatriates and foreign nationals in Libya. Medical services include in-patient and out-patient care, dental treatment, expatriate residential medicals and 24 hour doctor care. There is a state-of-the-art laboratory and an eye and radiology clinic present on the premises. The St. James Clinic can also provide 24-ambulatory services to a UK and EU specification for patients requiring urgent medical assistance.
If a visitor is planning on traveling to the remote or desert regions of Libya, they will need to be aware that access to timely and effective medical treatment may be impossible. Even if there is a pre-arrangement with an international air ambulatory service, the service might not be permitted to carry out its duties due to restrictions imposed within Libya. It is important to bear-in-mind the potential danger which may arise from venturing outside urbanized areas of Libya and it is important to ensure contingency plans are made.
In 2009, the Libyan authorities confirmed there had been a small outbreak of bubonic plague in the Al-Tarsha region of Libya. The health concerns were contained and there were no further confirmed cases. Before traveling to Libya, it is recommended that a visitor should obtain a consultation with a doctor for up-to-date information on health issues affecting the country and to ensure all vaccinations and medical precautions are taken to minimize the risk of become ill while in the country.
Foreign nationals who seek medical treatment in either privately or publicly operated healthcare facilities will need to pay for treatment received. It is advised that patients seek treatment from a private healthcare provider or the government run referrals hospitals such as the Tripoli Medical Center as these facilities provide a better quality healthcare service within the country. However, if prolonged or advanced medical treatment is required, a patient should seek further medical care from their home nation. In case of medical emergency, it is important to ensure that international health insurance for Libya includes emergency medical evacuation.
The Libyan healthcare system has been affected by two major economic factors. Firstly, the wealth created by the discovery of oil reserves which has funded the Libyan government’s provision of a social security system and free public healthcare. Secondly the adverse impact on the Libyan economy caused by international sanctions and embargos. The money generated from the export of natural resources has enabled the Libyan government to fund and consequently develop a network of healthcare facilities and universal immunization programmes. However the international sanctions affected imports of medical supplies and advancements in certain medical fields. Overall the Libyan healthcare system has improved over the last four decades, although it remains limited in some medical procedures and healthcare services it can provide to patients.
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Libya International Health Insurance |
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If you are looking for peace-of-mind knowing that medical costs will be covered in case of an accident or illness, to yourself and your family, while traveling to or residing in Libya, international health insurance plan will be the ideal solution. Policies can be tailor-made to ensure all your needs are met while in Libya. Should you require further information on Libya, international medical insurance, or to receive a free quotation, please do not hesitate to call one of our expert advisers now. |
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