Context
The health sector in Libya is fragmented and fragile as a result of the ongoing political crisis. The state-run Primary Health Care Centres (PHCCs), which offer general medical care primarily for people with low incomes or who are in need of support, are unable to maintain adequate levels and quality of the services offered. In addition, there are no specific measures to improve health care access for particularly vulnerable groups, such as those with disabilities or psychosocial disorders. Barriers to access also need to be dismantled for girls, women and migrants, and preventive measures to help people stay healthy need to be promoted.
Objective
The quality of health care is improved in selected municipalities in Libya. Vulnerable population groups in particular have better access to medical services.
Approach
The provision and expansion of primary health care services in Libya are promoted by means of projects. The main target group is vulnerable people in eight selected municipalities, predominantly in western and southern Libya.
The project will first investigate the operational capacity of the existing PHCCs in each municipality. Depending on the needs identified, support will include the repair or modernisation of facilities, the provision of equipment, maintenance and repair of medical devices, the procurement of medicines, and diagnostic tests. Expert advice on clinical practice guidelines and support with implementing quality standards also form part of this project.
The project also supports PHCCs in expanding their range of services to include services for vulnerable groups – e.g. treatment for people with disabilities or psychosocial support.
Actors at all levels of the health system, health care staff and patients are involved and are working together to develop and implement measures to improve access for vulnerable groups. In addition, the project is supporting training courses for staff at PHCCs as well as Training of Trainers who offer training on site at these health centres.
GIZ and its partners are advising the Ministry of Health on introducing the Family Practice Approach (FPA), an initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO), at PHCCs. This approach focuses on the health needs of people and their expectations of health care. In this way, the role of the health committees in improving access to health care services for at-risk groups is being strengthened at municipal level.
The non-governmental organisation International Medical Corps (IMC) is our implementation partner on the ground.