Libya: Forced suspension of MSF activities leaves former patients without care

The only public center for TB patients in Libya

“Two of our tuberculosis (TB) patients died in Misrata immediately after our suspension,” says Carla Peruzzo, medical coordinator for MSF in Libya. “We hear that a further four other inpatients have since passed away in the same facility.” MSF was supporting the only public center for TB patients in Libya. The TB unit was implemented by MSF within the Misrata Chest Hospital in 2020. 

MSF has not received formal notification of the basis for ISA actions and regrets this intimidatory crackdown which compromises access to medical care. We are deeply concerned about the consequences for patients’ health. We had treated migrants and refugees who had been subjected to abuse and violence, with severe health consequences and acute medical needs. MSF’s referral mechanism to the UN Refugee Agency or the International Organization for Migration to evacuate migrants and refugee patients identified as a medical priority has now come to a halt. 

Before the suspension of activities, MSF was treating a cohort of more than 300 Libyan, migrant, and refugee patients, mostly for TB care, prenatal care, and psychological support, especially for survivors of violence. Some patients were in a critical situation. MSF managed to refer most of them to other facilities, such as the National Center for Disease Control, but also lost contact with several of them.

MSF stands ready to resume its work

“MSF is ready to resume the medical projects that were underway for TB, mental health, and maternal health—for any patient in need of care and in collaboration with the relevant Libyan authorities,” states Steven Purbrick, MSF head of mission for Libya. “Provided that the safety of our staff and patients is guaranteed, MSF calls for the suspension to be lifted.”

Medications destined for donation to public hospitals were locked inside MSF’s premises, which we will now be obliged to destroy due to the loss of temperature control.

"The medical needs met by MSF are not always covered in Libya's public health system, which faces structural challenges such as understaffing and shortages of medication supply," explains Carla Peruzzo. “We are very concerned about patients with chronic diseases like diabetic patients in need of insulin and people in need of dialysis, with chronic kidney disease. A breakdown in TB treatment can lead to the development of a drug-resistant form of the disease, rapid deterioration in the patient's state of health, and even death.”

Over the years MSF had successfully developed a technical collaboration with the National Tuberculosis Program to reinforce capacities to detect cases in specialized facilities, review national guidelines of the central laboratory in Tripoli, and support the department of health education. MSF is ready to continue our planned support for the National Tuberculosis Program and the rest of its medical activities.

MSF in Libya 

MSF has been working in eastern and western Libya since 2011, providing primary health care, TB  diagnosis and care, mental health support, and maternal health consultations.

In 2023, MSF provided emergency medical support following the flooding in Derna, supporting two primary health care centers and providing medical consultations to almost 5,000 people. MSF also provided mental health services after the disaster.

In 2024, MSF teams in Libya conducted 15,018 medical consultations, 3,024 mental health consultations, and 2,035 consultations on TB.