Malta is bracing itself for a spike in the number of injured Libyans seeking treatment as the island serves as a base to provide medical aid for the besieged capital Tripoli.
World Health Organisation (WHO) representatives were in Malta throughout the week to meet government officials and suppliers to use the island to channel aid to the war-torn North African country.
Amid fears of an escalating humanitarian crisis in Libya, Malta is being seen as the ideal hub, given its proximity to Tripoli and its expertise in the medical field.
To facilitate humanitarian aid through Malta, the government has issued a legal notice to ensure no medicine and equipment will be held up because of red tape.
Health Parliamentary Secretary Mario Galea also revealed yesterday that the establishment of a WHO base in Malta was discussed during an extraordinary Cabinet meeting last week.
“We’re committed to support and facilitate any humanitarian aid to Libya,” a government spokesman told The Sunday Times.
Director General Health Ray Busuttil said the local authorities had been updating procedures and processes and putting a contingency plan in place to deal with the expected increase in request for help.
“We’re expecting an increase in injured people, and by and large we have the means to treat these injuries.”
Most of those injured in the Libya war sustained gunshot wounds but some of the victims are suffering from horrific injuries in the aftermath of clashes between Muammar Gaddafi’s forces and the rebels.
Hospitals are running low on stocks, and food and fuel are difficult to come by, according to the latest reports.
Most of Libya’s capital is without water, electricity or proper sanitation.
Saint James Hospital has also discussed plans with the government to assist with the treatment of injured patients who will be brought to Malta.
Malta’s largest private hospital is familiar with the Libyan climate since it has run a clinic in Tripoli since 2006.
Saint James Hospital continued to run the clinic with minimum services throughout the conflict until fighting intensified in the capital last week. The clinic had to be closed temporarily as things came to a head in Tripoli and staff were unable to report for work. The clinic is expected to reopen today offering limited services.
Meanwhile, the SJH ambulance and its drivers are being used to assist with the transportation of the injured to other hospitals in Tripoli.
“We’re now gathering a group of doctors and nurses, including Maltese, and as soon as it’s safe to return to Tripoli we will do so,” said SJH Jean Claude Muscat, international director.
Meanwhile, Saint James Hospital in Sliema should be treating a number of Libyans injured in the conflict, including some who have already been operated upon.
“We know that a lot of people are injured in Tripoli and their wounds are quite horrendous,” Mr Muscat said. Mario Debono, president of the GRTU pharmaceutical section, confirmed the association has had contacts with WHO officials to facilitate the transportation of medicine to Libya.
“A boat from Malta can reach Libya within 24 hours so it makes sense to have the island as a base. Malta has the resources and the contacts to be used as a base,” he said.
Mr Debono, who is also involved in the NGO I-Go Aid, which transported supplies to Misrata during the conflict, appealed especially for water in the wake of reports that the Libyan capital was fast running dry.
“What we’re experiencing is an unmitigated disaster. I believe Malta was instrumental in saving Misrata so let’s do the same for Tripoli.”
hgrech@timesofmalta.com