HEALTHCARE PARTNERSHIP UK/LIBYA

Stuart E Smalley, MSc, CIHM, FIHM, FCMIInternational AdvisorDepartment of Health

Health Policy Development - Libya

The National Health Policy

• Framework for health programmes to deliver healthcare free of charge to all citizens

• Public Health Law 106 declared that health is the right of all people and it is to be guaranteed by the State

• To promote the development of comprehensive healthcare including public health, preventative services, mental health, occupational health and social care for the elderly

• Emphasis on promoting equity in access to healthcare systems

Healthcare in Libya

Healthcare coverage has increased

• GDP 3.8%

• Access to safe water supply 98%

• Sanitation 95%

• Childhood immunisation 99%

• Prenatal care 81%

Life expectancy

• Males 70 (77)

• Females 75 (81)

• Infant mortality 18 per 1000 live births (5)

• Under 5 19 per 1000 live births (6)

*UK Figures in brackets

Memorandum of Cooperation

Signed by Secretary of State and the Secretary of Health and Environment at the World Health Assembly, Geneva – May 2008

Joint Healthcare Task Force

• Disease Surveillance

• Primary Care Development

• Management Education / Development

• Postgraduate Education

• Specific General Management Projects

PRIMARY CARE DEVELOPMENT

• A pilot project to develop wider multi disciplinary team working

• Marketing & promoting the benefits of primary care to the people in the Shabiya

•Training trainers

•Developing skills for medicine management

DISEASE SURVEILLANCE

Health Protection Agency

• Policy/Strategy Development

• Infection Control/Protection

• Infectious Diseases e.g. HIV/AIDS

• Assistance Re MRSA to Tripoli Medical Centre ‘June 2008’

(Visit by UK HPA Team)

• Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital – Benghazi Project

Rt Hon Dawn Primarolo, Minister of State (Public Health) visited Libya November2008

Key areas of collaboration

• Robust relationships now established

• Clear evidence that Libya wants to introduce private sector skills into healthcare arena

• Priorities - postgraduate training programmes – medical staff

- management training programmes for hospital directors

- disease surveillance and laboratory improvement

- links on bone marrow transplants & ophthalmology

Royal Colleges visited Re selection process for doctors

InFact Ltd (Re installation of Health Protection Agency disease surveillance programme – ‘HP Zone’

Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital

- two visits to review laboratories – at Elfutah Hospital, Benghazi

DH Official – Stuart Smalley – visit to Tripoli March 2009

Submission of Masters Programmes in Health Management from UK Universities

Visit by Rt Hon Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Health visits Tripoli June 2009

Visit to UK H.E Mr Mohamed Hijazi, Secretary of HealthOct 2009

• Mr M Hijazi stated that he wants to further develop relationships with UK as preferred partner.

• Training necessary as a priority.•200 doctors and 100 nurses to UK for language training

• Libya requires good hospital managers-Keen to improve training and welcome UK Managers to Libya

• Primary care and cancer remain priority areas.

•Stuart Smalley DH met Health Secretary Nov 2009•MoU signed and exchanged

•Funding issues resolved

CONCLUSIONS

• Health agenda has secured good relationships between UK/Libya

• Evidence of business development opportunities.

• UK preferred partner.