Mr. Abdel Moneim Abdelmajid Matarou, 58, is from Bani Walid, 160 km south of Tripoli.  An agricultural worker and father of two, he suffers from heart disease. As a result, he finds himself under a great deal of stress, especially as his physical movement is impaired.

"Since I was diagnosed with heart disease three years ago, I have not benefited from a safe means of transportation to take me to the health centre to receive treatment and to stabilize my condition," said Abdel Moneim.

Faced with no choice

Finding safe transportation is not easy. Ambulances are not readily available nor are they free. Abdel Moneim feared for his life. Frequently he would face dangerously long wait times before transportation arrived. This led to increased anxiety. "During that period when I had no access to health centers, I wanted to leave the city completely and settle in Tripoli. I felt that my life was not in Bani Walid anymore," he said. 

Before 2011, Bani Walid Emergency Medical Services Unit worked to provide essential services to the city’s 50,000 citizens. But violence between 2011 and 2012 crippled the city as infrastructure and resources were destroyed.  As a result, citizens found themselves without access to emergency services, such as ambulance transportation.

Finding solutions to real problems

Led by national and municipal Libyan institutions and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Stabilization Facility for Libya (SFL) is an immediate stabilization initiative, which provides quick rehabilitation of critical infrastructure and delivery of equipment to support local authorities to improve their services to citizens.

Founded in 2016, it has currently undertaken over 285 investment products in seven cities, especially in critical areas such as repairing hospitals and clinics, providing health and emergency equipment, and other municipal needs relating to civil defense, public health and access to justice.

In partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Planning, the SFL delivered three intensive care unit ambulances to the municipality. This allowed patients, both inside and outside the city, to be transferred to the hospital in a timely and safe manner. In some cases, the ambulances also transport patients to Tripoli or to neighboring countries for special care.  On average, around eight patients are transported every week between their homes and the health centre.

Improving lives at their hometown

Abed Moneim is among one of the many citizens who found their lives improved as a result. "My life has changed over the last three months. The new ambulance is taking care of me from the house to the health centre on a regular basis and in comfort," he explained.

Doctors also benefit as they find the ambulances also improve their ability to improve the quality of life and care of their patients, especially patients who need frequent visits. 

"The serious medical condition experienced by Abdel Moneim needs special attention. The most important thing is that he does not stress himself physically, otherwise, his heart will be at risk," indicated Dr. Abdel-Hadi Al-Khatib, who serves as one of Abed Moneim’s primary caregivers.

The ambulance service has not only made physical contributions but also emotional ones. Patients find themselves with renewed hope and restored dignity, especially those who require regular transport.

The SFL regularly meets with service companies and municipal communications staff to promote coordination and communication with citizens. In addition, they also focus on preventative actions and threat de-escalation, training local groups and authorities on conflict avoidance and resolution and other skills necessary to support peace-building efforts.

Having been relieved of the burden of searching for a way to get to the clinic, Abel Moneim agrees. "In fact, I cannot hide that I feel more stable now. If there is improvement in delivering medical treatment and if essential services are accessible to everyone, citizens will be stable.”