1 July 2018 – With the generous support of the Government of France, WHO has delivered lifesaving medicines and supplies to His Excellency the Minister of Health of Libya fto enable the Ministry to improve the access of the Libyan people to essential medicines and supplies in the south of Libya in a simple ceremony held at the National Centre for Disease Control office in Tripoli. 

The Honorable Ambassador of France to Libya and senior delegates from the French Embassy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended the ceremony. Before the ceremony, His Excellency the Minister of Health, the Honorable Ambassador of France and WHO Representative for Libya discussed in detail the current health situation and priorities of the Ministry of Health for the coming months and years.

The medicines and supplies will effectively cover the needs of primary health care, trauma care and care of chronic diseases for a period of 3 months for almost 50 000 patients under these categories. Health service facilities in the south of Libya have been deeply affected by the conflict at all levels – causing acute shortages of lifesaving medicines. In many places, major hospitals have been targeted and health professionals have been detained and some forced to flee the conflict.

The support from the Government of France is a strategic gesture in making sure that the most vulnerable populations in Libya have access to essential and lifesaving medicines and supplies in the country's current complex environment. This support also shows the level of trust that the Government of France places in WHO's efficient and transparent procurement and distribution system.  

"WHO extends its deepest gratitude to the Government of France, especially the Honorable Ambassador of France to Libya for supporting the efforts of WHO in ensuring availability of lifesaving services to the people of Libya, particularly the most vulnerable.  The meeting with the His Excellency the Minister of health is a powerful testimony of France's commitment, and WHO's, in providing assurances to the government of Libya and its people of their unflinching support," said Dr Jaffar Hussain, WHO Representative to Libya.