Mohamed Abu Dabbous is the head of the Libyan Patients Union. He also leads the Organ Donation Support Organization. Abu Dabbous stated that 6,150 kidney patients in Libya receive treatment. This occurs across 95 dialysis units and departments. Additionally, 2,200 kidney transplant recipients are monitored. The total number of patients followed by kidney units, both inside and outside the country, approaches 10,000. He believes this figure reflects significant suffering. It also places substantial pressure on the health sector.
Abu Dabbous appeared on “Tonight’s Dialogue” program. It aired on Libya Al-Ahrar channel, broadcast from Turkey. Al-Marsad newspaper covered the program. He highlighted the presence of major kidney service centers. These are in Tripoli, Benghazi, Zliten, and Zawiya. He noted that over 170 kidney patients reside in Sabha alone.
Abu Dabbous explained that kidney or liver transplant patients require ongoing follow-up. A consultant or specialist doctor monitors their condition. The doctor determines medication dosages. This is based on lab results and blood strength. They also consider the immune response. Some patients take eight pills in the morning and eight in the evening. Others take three pills twice daily. The specialized physician determines the exact dosage.
Abu Dabbous is a kidney transplant recipient himself. He emphasized that immunosuppressant drugs are crucial for transplant patients. Stopping these medications for just three days can be dangerous. It may lead to elevated test results. Patients might then return to dialysis. They could face continued dialysis or even death.
Abu Dabbous believes a missing link exists in documentation processes. The medical supply agency should handle the file. This must be done through unified government procurement. He confirmed this procedure would save Libyan patients. It would also ensure a regular supply of medications.
He stressed the need to know medication types and expiry dates. He urged against providing simple or ineffective drugs. Essential medications should not be overlooked. He called for various security agencies to monitor the medical supply agency.
Abu Dabbous stated that medical supply routes need close monitoring. This includes tracking from arrival at ports or airports. Monitoring should continue through storage and distribution to pharmacies. He explained that 28 containers of medical supplies arrived earlier. They reached Tripoli port. Initially, only 20 containers were released. Efforts were made to release the remaining eight containers. This happened after contact with security authorities.
He believes these incidents raise questions about accountability. He spoke of lobbies, gangs, and mafias obstructing supply deliveries. He called for combating these groups. Security agencies must be empowered to act against them fully.
Abu Dabbous thinks the authority does its best within available capabilities. He believes the problem is linked to other factors. Influential lobbies are also involved, he said. He noted the medical supply agency published false information. They claimed to deliver medicines to a kidney hospital in the South. He confirmed no hospital exists by that name. He contacted the agency, which apologized and corrected the error.
Abu Dabbous apologized to Libyan patients. He mentioned that general tenders, especially meeting number 15, should have been implemented. However, implementation did not occur. He attributed this to gangs and mafias obstructing the process.
He stressed the need for a Ministry of Health in Libya. This ministry should be similar to those in developed countries. It would address shortages of medicines, immunosuppressants, and accompanying drugs. He clarified that 22 million Euros were allocated for medicines. This was based on documents shown to him by the authority’s head. Procedures and referrals were made through the authority. The head of medical supply, oversight bodies, and the audit bureau were involved. The process extended to the Central Bank of Libya.
Abu Dabbous noted that cancer and diabetes patients also suffer from this crisis. He believes unified government procurement is the only solution. This issue requires a political decision from the House of Representatives.
He criticized the House of Representatives’ handling of the medical supply agency inspection file. He found it astonishing that a committee was formed from within the agency itself. He contacted members of the health committee. Some informed him they lacked full knowledge of the file.
Abu Dabbous concluded by stating the crisis has reached a serious stage. Over 90 percent of Ministry of Health officials were imprisoned a year ago. They were later released. He believes this reflects the extent of negligence in the sector. Only those who experience patients’ suffering truly grasp the tragedy’s scale.