Benghazi – The Benghazi Medical Center has affirmed its commitment to strengthening its efforts in awareness, early screening, and providing medical and psychological support for people living with HIV, as part of national endeavors to curb the spread of the infection and improve healthcare quality.
In a statement to the Libyan News Agency, Dr. Ghalia Al-Qatrani, a consultant in infectious and communicable diseases at the center, appealed for the provision of AIDS medications in the required quantities at the Communicable Diseases Department. She emphasized that shortages of certain types create significant problems for patients and affect the efficacy of their treatment plans.
Al-Qatrani stressed that the regular provision of treatment is a cornerstone for achieving the World Health Organization’s 2030 goal of controlling the disease.
She explained that the center is currently implementing a preventive program targeting uninfected individuals from high-risk groups, such as the uninfected wives of virus-carrying husbands, by integrating their files to ensure continuous follow-up and prevent transmission.
She also confirmed that the national slogan adopted in Libya is “Testing for All and Medication for All,” where screening and treatment services are provided to all cases without discrimination, including non-Libyans, in a move aimed at preventing the escalation of infections within the community.
Regarding health awareness, Al-Qatrani emphasized that the initial symptoms of infection often resemble the flu, leaving many patients unaware of their condition. She called for the necessity of regular screening, especially for high-risk groups.
She also refuted rumors about “security reporting,” affirming that the center maintains strict confidentiality and does not communicate with any external entities regarding patient data.
She announced the opening of a psychosocial support office, which will monitor patients behaviorally and socially and organize marriage procedures among them according to protocols that ensure the safety of both parties and prevent virus transmission.
She also explained that the Communicable Diseases Department at the Benghazi Medical Center has undergone a significant expansion following the merger of staff from the former Al-Jumhuria Hospital with the center’s team. This has contributed to raising the level of expertise and providing round-the-clock daily services, including dispensing complete treatment to patients seven days a week.
She confirmed the availability of advanced analytical capabilities, including accurate blood tests and modern systems for organizing patient files, considering this an important step toward improving the quality of healthcare for people with HIV in Libya.
