Panafrican News Agency

Fayez al-Sarraj praises decentralization of health system in Libya

Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Chairman of the Presidential Council of the Government of National Unity, Fayez al-Sarraj, said that "linking the health sector to the decentralization system is one of the tools for its development", ensuring that "governance can restore confidence in the health sector through transparency, integrity and efficiency, as well as equity in the provision of services to all citizens".

At the opening of the National Centre for the Development of the Health System's Annual Conference on Thursday in the capital, Tripoli, Mr. Al-Sarraj explained that "the concept of decentralization aims not only to give municipalities greater powers and responsibilities to enable them to meet the needs of their citizens, but also to free the institutions concerned from the complications of state bureaucracy".

He pointed out that the creation of the National Centre for the Development of the Health System is a step in this direction," the Presidential Council said in a statement.

At the meeting, he stressed that "decentralization in the governance, financing and delivery of health services" that "governance practices in health facilities will improve the sector in terms of performance, quality and patient needs, facilitate access to services and prevent corruption and other unethical practices".

The Chairman of the Presidential Council stressed "the need to strengthen governance in cooperation with municipalities, universities and the private sector, in order to organize the provision of health services based on the citizen's interest".

This year, the conference addressed the issue of decentralization and the importance of raising citizens' awareness of the meaning and levels of centralization, as well as how to implement them.

The conference focused on e-Health, the publication of the health figure, the National Health Strategy 2030, health financing, the budget of the decentralised block for service provision, the Local Authorities Act and the results of the committees of the Fourth Conference on Medical Education.

The National Centre for the Development of the Health System was established by a decision of the Presidential Council in March 2017. It is under the supervision of the Prime Minister and its main task is to develop the Libyan health system so that it becomes a sustainable, citizen-centred system and provides quality services to Libyans wherever they are, without physical or financial burden.

-0- PANA BY/IS/SOC/MTA/VAO 3Oct2019