The Libya Institute for Advanced Studies organized a meeting entitled: Health in Libya, on Saturday, December 12, 2020, on the Zoom platform, on the occasion of the International Day for Universal Health Coverage, and this year’s slogan: Protecting All.
A group of doctors and specialists participated in this meeting.
Beginning with a lecture by Dr. Ramadan Salem Sati is a medical microbiologist, a faculty member of the Faculty of Medical Technology for hospital infections, and head of the Scientific Committee of the Laboratory Medicine Syndicate.
He talked about the “health system to limit the Coronavirus”, what epidemics are, the meaning of health, diagnostic standards, levels of reducing epidemics, the function of each level and the appropriate precautions and procedures for it.
He pointed out that Libya’s problem lies in the fact that the health system to combat the Coronavirus was flawed, which is the lack of interaction of all parties against this epidemic.
He talked about the goal of the health system, the types and procedures of health systems, and those responsible for the health system collectively, namely: (the Ministry of Health, the Public Authority for Environment and Sanitation, the services company, the security agencies, and telecommunications companies), and the absence of the role of some of them in the crisis.
What is the situation, its protocols, precautionary measures, and creative proposals in particular?
He pointed to the problem of medical waste and the problems it causes in the short and long term. He also pointed to the problem of patient privacy, not bullying him, providing services to him, and paying attention to his cultural, health and psychological aspects.
He also reviewed the “Guideline for Combating Corona in Educational Institutions,” the issue of education and opening schools, health questions related to the necessary preparations for the pandemic, self-assessment, precautionary measures, monitoring health conditions, and distance education.
Then there was an intervention by Dr. Najia Naji, an assistant professor at the College of Medical Technology, Department of Public Health, has a master’s degree in mental health and a doctorate in psychological counseling, and director of the Ranwa Center for Psychological and Educational Rehabilitation Services.
The title of her intervention: “There is no health without mental health.” She pointed to the importance of mental health in enhancing the positive response during the Corona pandemic, and the definition of mental health: an individual’s feeling that he has the ability to deal with and adapt to the requirements of his daily life, and a person’s ability to deal with stress factors in his life. And that Corona is an element of psychological pressure, through: not accepting the disease – denying it – fear of it – a culture of shame and feelings of shame and belittlement. She talked about a study they conducted: It was found that men were more vulnerable to and feeling anxious than women, and that most of them resorted to religious rituals, which were a source of support for them. It is worth noting that there were 400 people who answered this questionnaire online.
She concluded that there is an important need for psychological guidance, especially for those who have experienced depressive feelings after being infected with Corona.
As for the intervention of Dr. Nouria Al-Bahri Al-Nasr, a consultant in obstetrics and gynecology at Al-Zawiya Teaching Hospital, dean of the Faculty of Human Medicine in Al-Zawiya, a professor at the Faculty of Human Medicine in Al-Zawiya, and a member of the advisory committee for treatment abroad, she indicated that the incidence of epidemics is caused by a lack of immunity and the presence of chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, and high blood pressure. .
We must develop a comprehensive national program that delves into all these diseases, because the people who will encounter sick people are in primary health care in clinics and complexes, and how to rationalize our doctors who are in these health care with these diseases, and how to deal with the patient, programs on how to prevent infection – Focusing on primary health centers, she said: According to the Corona and pregnant woman specialists, a pregnant woman is no different from a normal person, in all her stages.
The meeting raised several important questions, including:
Does Libya have a share in the Corona meeting in light of the crowded countries?
Health in Libya is suffering in the past and in the present. What is the reason and what are the solutions?
Do children transmit the infection to their families and are they like adults?
Dr. answered. Ramadan:
The vaccine in the world is still under trial. What distinguishes health in Libya is that it is one of the best countries in the world in following vaccinations, because vaccination in Libya is free and compulsory, and the health system for vaccination in Libya is excellent.
We must appeal to international organizations and the Scientific Health Organization, that the medicine should be accessible to everyone, whether poor or rich countries, and there will be a plan from the Center for Communicable Diseases, and the medicine is now in the trial, Libya will have a share, and the priority will be for nursing staff, then adults…
Health in Libya is suffering. We have many problems, lack of interest in health facilities, not allocating sufficient budgets, stealing budgets, and not communicating with the outside world.
Children are less susceptible to the disease, and perhaps children in Libya have good immunity due to vaccination, but anyone carrying the virus is a source of infection.
Other questions:
Why is there medical insurance for some members of society, and not for the rest of the people?
Medicine and pharmacy are humanitarian specialties. Unfortunately, some have turned them into business, with expired medicines, exaggerated prices, in the absence of the state. What do we do?
The state’s inability to provide vaccines in 2016? What is the role of the Ministry of Health?
The large number of clinics in Libya, without taking into account international quality, corrupts and destroys government medicine. What do you think of this?
Dr.’s answer. Nouria:
Health insurance: As a professor or doctor, I do not have insurance. If I get sick, all of my treatment will be at private expense. We need a national program, and state policy adopts it.
Medicine and pharmacy have moved to the subject of trade. The whole world has private and public, all under the laws. We lack correct laws that clinics and pharmacies follow. Their work will be normal and normal and will help society because its program is correct.
Unfortunately, Libya was unable to provide everything related to health matters.
Yes, the large number of private clinics affects the quality, and some of them resemble shops, kiosks, in which there are no health, scientific, or legal controls. There are clinics that offer better than public clinics, and the patient will be forced to walk to these clinics, and this issue needs an overview from the decision makers. How? Clinics are being regulated and how hospitals are being helped.
Other questions:
We all know the weakness of health and preventive services in public educational schools. Who is responsible for people’s lives if the infection is transmitted, and who is responsible to give permission to open schools?
Is it possible to start defining mental health in the early stages of education? Is it possible to adopt an awareness or educational program in schools, or an audio-visual radio program with awareness videos?
Dr.’s answer. Survivor:
Any information can be provided to anyone, but the level of mental development of that person should be taken into account in presenting it. The method of presenting knowledge is what varies, and knowledge is available to everyone of all kinds. If we enter the pages of the World Health Organization and UNICEF, we find books and publications suitable for children. Some channels provide beautiful materials. In a very nice way for children about the Corona pandemic, we at the Ranwa Center recorded children and provided advice to their peers.
Recommendations of this meeting (summarized by Dr. Ramadan):
- Preparing a comprehensive national program, including the health system, and working to implement the health system, including all specialties in administrative bodies
- Paying attention to primary health care, because it is the first line of defense.
- Paying attention to psychological support for the community, whether infected or at risk of infection.
- Implementing medical insurance to guarantee the citizen’s right to work.
- Requiring government institutions to oblige citizens to follow precautionary measures.
- Work to expedite the provision of vaccines and appropriate distribution to groups.
You can watch the meeting here.