Tripoli — The UN Migration Agency (IOM) delivered essential medical items and equipment yesterday (05/11) to the Libyan Ministry of Health through the support of the European Union Trust Fund (EUTF). The supplies and equipment will be delivered to 14 health facilities across Libya, and include ultrasound machines, medical monitors, wheelchairs and other types of medical supplies and equipment. 

In collaboration with the Libyan Ministry of Health, the donated equipment will be distributed amongst 10 primary health care centres and four hospitals across Libya, in Tobruk, Benghazi, Kufra, Misrata, Garaboli, Tripoli, Bani Waleed, Azzawya, Zwara, Sebha, Ubari and Ashati. The donation comes after an assessment visit conducted by IOM medical teams with the Ministry of Health determining the requirements and pressing needs of the health sector in Libya.

Due to the ongoing conflict and political instability the country is witnessing, healthcare facilities in Libya have struggled to maintain an adequate stock of medical equipment and, thus, provide necessary health care to populations in need.

Following a recent donation of insulin to several areas in the country, IOM continues to expand and scale up health assistance to Libyan populations (including internally displaced persons) and migrants as well as equip health facilities in the Eastern, Western and Southern parts of the country. IOM, in collaboration with the Libyan Ministry of Health, is working to strengthen existing health facilities and improve access to basic lifesaving primary and emergency secondary health care services.

“We are grateful for the support provided by our Libyan counterparts in assessing the needs of health facilities in Libya. The equipment provided will be of great value to the health sector in the country,” said Mohamed Abugalia, an IOM doctor in Libya.

Since beginning its intervention in Libya in 2006, IOM has worked closely with the Libyan authorities to ensure populations in need are assisted either directly or through support to already existing facilities.

So far in 2018, IOM has provided 25,590 migrants and 107 internally displaced persons with primary medical assistance, while scaling up collaboration with Libyan counterparts and supporting the public health sector.

For more information, please contact: Maya Abu Ata, IOM Libya, Tel: + 216 53 382 385, email: mabuata@iom.int, or Safa Msehli, Phone: +216 22 241 842 Email: smsehli@iom.int