Libya pledges to treat victims of war

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The head of Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) vowed last month to treat those injured in the revolution and compensate martyrs' families within two to three months.

Mustafa Abdel Jalil said that it was the responsibility of the government to treat Libyans wounded during the revolution, pointing out that a ministry was mandated for that purpose.

"There is a body for treating the wounded. Regarding those who were unable to receive full treatment, the government will make sure they are fully treated, wherever that may be," Abdel Jalil told reporters at a January 22nd press conference.

Attempting to facilitate and accelerate the process of treating the injured, the NTC chief noted that some hospitals would be handed over to fully-equipped American and German crews who will take over the treatment of the wounded locally.

"At present, only critical cases will be sent for treatment abroad," Abdel Jalil explained.

The move taken by the new authorities in Libya came in response to the calls of those wounded in the revolution. The injured recently made their voices heard, demanding attention for their circumstances as well as financial assistance to cover health expenses.

In Tunisia, some wounded Libyans staged a protest outside the Libyan embassy in mid-January. When the Libyan revolution broke out nearly a year ago, Tunisian hospitals and private clinics received thousands who came for treatment, many of whom still have not been released.

Salem bin Abdullah, one of the organisers of the January protest in Tunis, stressed that the purpose was to draw officials' attention to the issue.

"Wounded Libyans in Tunisia are going through difficult times, because of the lack of financial aid for the expenses of their treatment, as well as the absence of permanent care," Abdullah said.

"Does it make sense to ignore the revolutionaries who fought the dictatorship and achieved victory and freedom for the Libyan people when there is a ministry dedicated to them?" he asked.

Most of the wounded interviewed by Magharebia explained that their health conditions were getting worse, requiring intervention from the Libyan authorities.

Abdul Rahman Mahjoub, a Touareg from southern Libya, broke his leg during one battle. "For more than a month and a half, I have been paying for my own treatment and I can no longer continue, now that I'm out of money," he said. "So, I have to wait for support. I just hope the wait will not be long because my health can no longer sustain the neglect."

The issue is one of the toughest challenges facing Libya's fledgling authorities due to the sheer numbers of those injured in the conflict. According to the latest Libyan statistics, 60,000 people have been hurt and may require treatment.

In light of the situation, the interim Libyan government established a new ministry for the martyrs, the wounded and the missing to follow-up on the situation both inside Libya and abroad.

NTC health official Naji Barakat said late last year that treatment for those wounded in the revolution would last a long time. Barakat noted that the government made plans to improve the health sector, in which all Libyan doctors, whether at home or abroad, would contribute, pointing out that the council did not ignore the victims of the Libyan revolution.

Clinics and hospitals continue to treat Libyans patients, especially critical cases, despite the delay in paying the costs of treatment, provided that patients provided documents or bills signed by the Libyan authorities.

Motels also accommodate many patients who are going through a period of convalescence before resuming treatment, as they wait for Libyan authorities to foot their bills. Libyan authorities have already paid Jordan $140 million for treating wounded citizens and Tunisia may receive compensation in the future.

This content was commissioned for Magharebia.com.

Libya