NCUSLR Medical Mission to Libya Enhances Cardiac Care in Benghazi
The National Council on U.S.–Libya Relations (NCUSLR), through a partnership with Jusoor Al-Tib wal-Ma‘rifa (Bridges of Medicine and Knowledge) initiative, has led a medical mission that brought advanced cardiac care and professional training to Benghazi. The mission, which took place September 11 - 22, was carried in collaboration and stewardship of the Libya Development and Reconstruction Fund led by Belgasem Haftar and his International Cooperation director Aquila Al Abar.
Dr. Hani Shennib, President and Founder of the NCUSLR, reflected on the impact of this medical mission that brought advanced cardiac care and professional training to Libya. Over the course of three days, more than 150 patients were examined and treated in the fields of cardiology and vascular medicine at Dar Al-Hikma Hospital in Benghazi.
This collaborative initiative, brought in Adventist Health medical groups from the United States, enabled diagnostic procedures, cardiac catheterizations, vascular interventions, and the launch of a new program for open-heart and vascular surgeries. “Our collaboration brought together specialists from the U.S., Egypt, and Libya, who worked side by side to share expertise, save lives, and strengthen local capacity for cardiac care,” said Dr. Shennib.
During this mission, the NCUSLR also co- designed and ran a full day conference on the prevalence of Diabetes in Libya and on new developments for the treatment of heart and peripheral arterial disease, a major complication of diabetes. Over one hundred physicians and other health care providers participated in this event.
International cooperation can deliver tangible improvements in healthcare delivery and medical knowledge exchange. The NCUSLR continues its mission of encouraging the development of knowledge bridges between the US and Libya in various area and to all cities and regions of Libya, exercising impartiality to any political rivalry in the country, and hopes that by having professionals from all regions engage in such collaborations, that they will reap the benefits of united efforts.
