9  December 2018 ─ On 6 December 2018, The Health Information Centre, Ministry of Health and Education, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), presented the findings of a study on the current status of medical and allied health education and training institutes in Libya.

The seminar chaired by the Minister of Health and co-chaired by the WHO Head of Mission, was attended by deans of universities, senior academics from medical, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry and medical technology institutes and the National Health System Development Centre. It was also attended by the members of the Special Committee for Medical Health Education, which includes members from the Ministries of Health and Education.

The study found that there are 27 health education-related universities, 18 medical schools (including one private), 15 dental schools (including three private), nine nursing schools, 11 pharmacy schools (including one private), three health sciences schools, three public health schools and 11 medical technology schools. There are also 15 centres for the medical professions, 14 intermediate nursing schools, a medical workforce development centre, the Libyan Board of Specialty and the Libyan branch of the Arab Board of Specialty is also functional.

A detailed analysis of current health workforce production and estimates for 2030 were presented, and Libya’s health workforce compared with similar and more developed countries. The study found that there is a current overproduction of the health workforce, a projected shortage of nurses and specialists, limited faculty in medical education institutes, and a below average rating of education accreditation standards in all faculties.

His Excellency Dr Omar Bashir Altaher, Minister of Health, thanked WHO for their technical support and the European Union (EU) for their generous support to Libya in modernizing and strengthening the health information system.

Dr Syed Jaffar Hussain, WHO Head of Mission, during his opening speech thanked the Ministry of Health for generating such valuable evidence on the status of medical and allied health education. He pledged his utmost support to the Government in their efforts to reform medical and allied health education in Libya.

A joint working committee endorsed short and long-term recommendations and pledged to develop a human resource strategy and support institutions to meet international standards.

For further information and any queries please contact:

Mohamed Ibrahim Daganee, Director, Health Information Centre, Ministry of Health

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or

Dr Haroon ur Rashid, WHO technical officer

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