Health sit-in continues while critical services are maintained
LIBYA – Adel Belhaj, head of the General Syndicate of Laboratory Medicine, has said that protests by medical and allied health staff began on 31 August and continued for nearly a month because of what he described as the government’s failure to respond seriously to their demands. He noted that some staff had been detained in cases linked to the Medical Liability Law.
Medical Liability Law and prosecution circular
Belhaj thanked Attorney General Counsellor Al-Siddiq Al-Sour and members of the Public Prosecution for understanding the particular nature of the medical professions and for applying Law No. 17 of 1986 on medical liability, as amended, and Attorney General Circular No. 21 of 2026 on procedures for investigating health sector workers.
Unified health protocol during the protests
In comments to Libya Al-Ahrar TV, which broadcasts from Turkey — followed and summarised by Al-Marsad — he said a unified health protocol circulated to hospitals governs work during the protest and can be amended when necessary under the supervision of a scientific committee, stressing that it has been observed without any breaches.
Dialysis, oncology and maternity exempted
He stressed that services for chronic illnesses are fully exempt from the strike, including kidney dialysis, oncology, and obstetrics and gynaecology departments, and continue to be provided under the protocol.
Parliamentary engagement and dispute with the government
He said the government had not responded and had broken previous agreements, whereas the House of Representatives’ Health Committee had been highly responsive. A unified nationwide salary scale had been agreed that takes into account each sector’s specific allowances — for distinction, risk and service delivery — pending the results of the committees formed to review it.
Movement’s aims go beyond pay
He said the sit-in would continue in pursuit of a safe working environment, social justice and the provision of medicines, supplies, operating materials and the capacity hospitals and health centres need, stressing that the movement’s demands go beyond salary increases alone.
