About Libya INTRODUCTION 1. Political situation 2. Economy 3. Health 4. Education a. Universities 5. Demographics 6. Religions 7. Peoples 8. Languages 9. History 10. Cities and Towns Travel guide for Libya Key figures Life expectancy 77.3 years. Women 4.7 years longer than men. MENA rank: 4 of 22. Child mortality Infants: 18.0 per 1000. 1 to 5 years: 1.7 per 1000. MENA rank: 9 of 22. Overweight 53%. MENA rank: 11 of 21. Malnutrition <2.5%. MENA rank: 1 of 22. HIV/AIDS 180 per 100,000 inhabitants. 10,000 in total. MENA rank: 12 of 14. Expenses $270 per inhabitant. 2.9% of GDP. MENA rank: 15 of 21. Hospital accreditations None. Doctors 1.3 per 1000 inhabitants. MENA rank: 13 of 22 Hospital beds 3.7 per 1000 inhabitants. MENA rank: 2 of 22 MENA rank 10 among 22 countries. MENA = Middle East and North Africa. Hospital in Al-Bayda, Libya

Health care
Health services are free for all citizens. Primary health care is very well developed, and available all across the country. There are about 7,000 doctors, 1.3 per 1,000 inhabitants. Many doctors have been trained abroad, and overall Libyan doctors have good skills.
Libyan had in 2008 3.7 hospital beds per 1,000 inhabitants, representing a small reduction in the recent decade (3.9 in 2001). There are many medical clinics and small hospital all across the country, with two major hospitals in Tripoli and Benghazi.
Yet, Libya is among the countries with fewest doctors per hospital bed; while most countries have ca. 1.5 hospital bed per doctor, Libya has 2.8. This suggests that many hospitals may good capacity, their advanced services will be limited.
There is a growing private health sector, much encouraged by the government.
Due to United Nation's sanctions, Libya's health care system were among the sectors suffering the most: Imports of medicine and surgical supplies as well as parts for repairs were halted. Children were especially exposed. Sanctions were lifted in 2003, today Libya can benefit fully from international health products.

Health conditions and diseases
Health conditions as reflected in statistics show positive developments, fertility rates go down every year. Life expectancy is increasing, now being almost at European levels. In the 1960's, life expectancy was only 46 years, more than 30 years shorter than today.
There is practically no malnutrition anymore, but child mortality remains significant at about 20 per 1000.
Libya used to have a reporting system for its HIV/AIDS cases, being a regional high risk country. Today, unfortunately, the latest figures date back to 2001, and there is a theoretical chance that this problem is far greater today.
Figures from WHO shows that 71% have good access to clean water (2000), 97% access to good sanitation (2006). There are no differences in access between countryside and towns.

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By: Tore Kjeilen