WHO provides medical assistance to Libya

TRIPOLI, March 24 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Sunday said it provided emergency medical assistance to Libyan hospitals.

"The WHO sent 10 trucks loaded with emergency medical supplies and trauma kits to 10 major hospitals in different districts of Libya on March 23, providing desperately needed materials to treat diseases and injuries. The shipments were supported by European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)," WHO said in a statement.

The supplies are expected to treat nearly 1.3 million patients for three months, while The trauma kits can support The hospitals to treat almost 2,000 injuries, The statement explained.

"ECHO funding has enabled us to upgrade The capacities of major hospitals in war-torn areas to respond to major crises and strengThen Their readiness," said Syed Jaffar Hussain, WHO representative for Libya.

"In addition, support from Germany has enabled WHO to deploy rapid response teams to 15 hospitals, while Italy has funded stocks of contingency supplies," The statement added.

Libyan authorities are struggling to provide basic services, mainly proper healthcare and education, due to years of armed conflict and political instability.