In its commitment to protecting citizens’ health security and preserving their dignity from the abuses of corrupt individuals, and through continuous monitoring of public health facilities, the agency has noted the deterioration of medical services. Investigations into certain cases have confirmed administrative and financial corruption, the widespread practice of bribery and favoritism, and the domination of the public health sector by private health institutions. This has forced ordinary citizens to rely on the private sector, which often fails to recognize their suffering—both in terms of service quality and pricing.

This situation compelled the agency to coordinate with relevant authorities to hold meetings aimed at intensifying efforts to find fundamental solutions to support the health sector and combat the corruption networks that have infiltrated it.

A comprehensive meeting was held on Monday, 21 August 2023, at the agency’s headquarters on Republic Street, attended by:

• Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health
• Minister of Economy and Trade
• Director of the Internal Security Agency
• Director of the Municipal Guard Agency
• Deputy Head of the Intelligence Agency
• Director of the General Administration of Central Support
• Director of the Security of Facilities and Institutions Agency
• Director of the Law Enforcement Administration
• Director of the Agency for Combating Illegal Immigration
• Director of the Agency Affairs Office at the Stability Support Agency
• Director of the General Security and Security Stations
• Representative of the Deterrence Agency for Organized Crime and Terrorism
• Head of the Libyan Medical Syndicate
• Director of Nursing Administration – Ministry of Health

The attendees agreed on the necessity of forming a Central Committee to monitor public and private health facilities, chaired by the Director of the Internal Security Agency and including representatives from all other relevant bodies. The committee’s mandate includes investigating any incidents constituting crimes or violations, establishing mechanisms to support the public health sector to provide better medical services, and developing strategies to ensure service quality through the implementation of a health insurance program.

Following the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health’s decision to form the central committee, the committee, accompanied by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Hospital Affairs, visited the Tripoli Medical University Hospital, the largest health facility in the capital. Reports confirm the deteriorating conditions at this facility and the poor quality of medical services.

The committee held its first meeting at the hospital on Wednesday, 23 August 2023, at 10:00 AM. During the meeting, performance reports concerning patient meal services were reviewed, revealing poor quality and non-compliance with medical nutrition standards. The hospital administration had failed to take disciplinary measures against the catering company responsible, putting patients’ health at risk. Additionally, it was noted that the hospital nutrition office did not monitor meal quality during distribution, confirming manipulation and corruption in the contracting process.

The committee will also have a dedicated channel for receiving complaints and feedback from citizens, which will be announced soon, as well as a designated spokesperson to provide weekly updates on its work and achievements.