Health System Development and Mortality Transitions in Libya.

Introduction: Transition in mortality is an important indication of progress in public health and a precondition for medical interventions and health system development. Developing countries are always said to be lagging behind in terms of demographic transition. This statement undermines experiences of some developing countries, especially those in the Arab Region. Almost all Arab countries have made substantial reduction in mortality. An Arab country located on the north of Africa, The Great People's Arab Libyan Jamahiriya (Libya) sets an ideal example of improved mortality and a health service delivery system among developing countries. Recent political developments have disrupted the health setup, which depended on the Libyan People's Congresses. But a similar setting is emerging in the country with the new political and administrative governance taking lessons from experiences. Objectives: This paper attempts to review mortality in Libya through tracing the routes, reviewing underlying factors and examining the contribution of Government and other public health institutions. Methodology: This paper makes use of national statistics on major mortality indicators viz., crude death rate, infant mortality rate, under 5 mortality rate, maternal mortality rate and expectation of life at birth since 1950. Results: A remarkable change in mortality has been observed, which had a clear relation with improvement in health service delivery systems. A strong political will coupled with stability of governance have contributed to this improvement. A few international organizations and regional and national agencies have also contributed to this trend. Recent events have affected the system, overloading emergency services. Conclusions and Implementations: These achievements from an experimental people-based health system development have to be treated scientifically through information base for contributing to changes in health delivery systems and also for accelerating progress in the future. Learning from experiences of the previous experimental people's congress oriented health service delivery shall take the system to further health gains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]