2024-04-27 22:47:40
Libya: wars and disasters leave thousands psychologically affected
Libyan Abdul Hakim Hamed attends a psychiatric hospital in the capital Tripoli To treat her two children from the effects of the trauma they suffered during Armed clashes This happened in the Al-Farnaj neighborhood, where the family lives. Although they moved to a new home in an attempt to create an atmosphere that would help them forget what they were exposed to, both children are still suffering… Repeated psychological attacks.
Hamed told Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed that armed clashes suddenly broke out in the neighborhood last August and continued for several hours, during which he was unable to escape with his family. He added: “The ambulance crews provided us with a way out. , but it was too late, as both children suffered a serious psychological crisis, they seemed extremely frightened and suffered from constant crying spells, which prompted me to take them to a doctor.
He continues: “My daughter Howaida (eight years old) is suffering… Severe depression Since the incident, and despite the months that have passed, she refuses to leave her room. As for his brother Asaad (ten years old), his condition is slightly better, although he suffers from a mild form of behavioral disorder which he may have overcome. his crisis more quickly due to his integration with the neighborhood children, unlike Howaida who still refuses the merger.
Hamed confirms his inability to travel to treat his two children abroad, stressing that the cost of care in private Libyan clinics is a real obstacle to continuing treatment for his parasite. He explains: “We try by our own means to alleviate the suffering of our children. the two children. I rented a house in a new neighborhood with the aim of changing the general climate of the family. Perhaps they will forget the horror scenes they experienced and which are still etched in their memories.
The health sector is suffering a sharp collapse in various parts of the country, particularly in government rehabilitation and psychological treatment centers. Libyan doctor specializing in psychological and mental illnesses, Fathallah Zarrouk, told Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed: “Psychiatric and mental illnesses.” hospitals are basically few in number and those available are transformed into centers to accommodate patients, many of whom currently do not have tests and treatments.
Zarrouk adds: “The limited number of existing specialist hospitals are all old and located in large cities. They have not been upgraded in recent decades and more should be expanded due to the urgent need. following the years of wars and chaos that the country has witnessed.
The decline in care for people with mental illnesses in public hospitals has forced those seeking treatment to resort to private clinics, and most of these clinics suffer from a lack of qualified staff, making treatment difficult. patient burden does not achieve the expected results.
Many Libyans are experiencing armed clashes in cities (Mahmoud Turkia/Agence France-Presse)
Dr. Zarrouk says: “Many patients who visit him complain regarding the chaos of the public mental health sector and the lack of medical care. Most of the people I treat suffer from depression and, to a lesser extent, other psychological disorders such as. like schizophrenia and others, and depression tops the list of mental illnesses. official statistics on the number of psychiatric patients or on the classification of the types of their illnesses.
The World Health Organization’s 2022 report, which includes estimated figures, is the latest report on mental health in Libya. The report reveals that one in seven Libyans are in need of psychological or mental health care due to the impact of the country’s ongoing conflict. for over ten years. According to information in the report, mental health services were available in five Libyan cities: Tripoli, Misrata, Benghazi, Ajdabiya and Sebha, but these services have declined significantly in recent years.
Last October, on World Mental Health Day, the World Health Organization renewed its call to care for the mental health of individuals in Libya, particularly following the devastating floods that hit eastern regions of the country, causing the loss of many people. their relatives.
Despite successive announcements from the Government of National Unity in Tripoli and the House of Representatives in Benghazi that they would send teams of psychiatrists to support the population of Derna, Dr. Fathallah Zarrouk confirms the continued deterioration of the psychological situation of many people having lost loved ones. there, and adds: “He confirms that many doctors in the city of Derna attend private psychiatric clinics in Benghazi, but there are people who do not have family to take them to the doctor. Cases of suicide have been recorded. Of the people who lost their loved ones in Derna, adolescents and children are the most vulnerable to trauma and, despite the seriousness of this phenomenon, both governments paid no attention to it only following the situation became a worrying phenomenon .
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