Enhancing Libya’s Healthcare System Through Technical and Vocational Education in Medical Engineering

Abstract

Libya's healthcare system faces longstanding challenges, including outdated hospital buildings, poorly maintained medical equipment, and a shortage of qualified medical engineers. These issues compromise patient safety and care quality. Medical engineering, which integrates medicine, technology, and engineering, is essential to ensure medical devices function correctly and safely. However, education and training in this field in Libya remain limited, creating a gap between the demand for skilled professionals and their availability. This study explores how developing medical engineering education and technical training can strengthen healthcare in Libya. By reviewing international practices and comparing them with local conditions, it highlights the need to update university curricula, establish hands-on training centers, and foster collaboration between hospitals and academic institutions. Reports indicate that over 40% of medical equipment in Libyan hospitals is out of service, mainly due to insufficient specialist support, increasing costs and posing risks to patients. Recent initiatives, including the First International Conference on Medical Engineering Sciences and Technologies in Tripoli, and efforts by institutions such as the Higher Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology in Hon and the Arab Medical and Technical University in Benghazi, reflect growing recognition of this field. Reconstruction projects in Benghazi also provide opportunities to integrate medical education with facility development. The study recommends renewing academic programs, opening specialized training centers, and building international collaborations. Investing in medical engineering education will reduce dependence on foreign expertise and contribute to safer, more reliable, and cost-effective healthcare, ultimately supporting a healthier future for Libya's population