A new agreement between UniCamillus and the Libyan Emergency Medicine and Support Centre (EMSC), an operational body of the local Ministry of Health, was signed last Saturday, July 16, 2023, with the crucial support of the Policlinico Di Liegro in Rome. Both institutions will collaborate in providing excellent training for Libyan doctors, preparing them to intervene in cases of extreme emergencies.
UniCamillus’ Rector, Gianni Profita, signed the memorandum of understanding with the EMSC in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister and ad interim Minister of Health, Ramadan Abu Janah. The agreement was made possible through the diplomatic efforts of the Libyan Ambassador to Italy, Muhannad Younes, and the healthcare advisor of the Libyan consulate in Milan, Nasseraddin Azetouni.
Italy and Libya have been in direct contact for some time to establish a medical-scientific exchange that contributes to the reconstruction of the healthcare system in the North African country. Professor Massimiliano Iannuzzi Mungo of the Policlinico Di Liegro has played a significant role over the years, and recently, together with his team, successfully carried out a unique surgical operation in Tripoli.
This agreement strengthens the bond between the two countries, with UniCamillus now becoming a key player. This collaboration with our University is expected to span three years, initially training 20 professionals in emergency surgery. Further expansions and extensions of the agreement are already being considered. The Italian Embassy in Tripoli praised this development as “a significant step forward for scientific and medical exchanges between Italy and Libya”, a sentiment echoed by Minister Abu Janah, who stated: “The government’s goal is to promote comprehensive healthcare development, facilitating a return to life. Deep Italo-Libyan relations in international cooperation, especially in the scientific field, are essential factors for the transfer of knowledge, fostering scientific development, a cornerstone of progress in modern countries”.
According to the agreement, Libyan doctors, under the guidance of Italian tutors, led by Prof. Mungo as the project coordinator and Prof. Giorgio De Toma as the scientific director, will undertake rigorous practical internships accompanied by complex theory classes.
The Libyan institutions have chosen UniCamillus as the most suitable partner to ensure the successful implementation of this comprehensive project. UniCamillus, with its dedication to internationalization and its established educational offer, facilities and taught programmes, has convinced the EMSC of the ability to provide assistance in a context seeking to emerge from the state of emergency caused by recent and painful armed conflicts.
“For us, this goes beyond a simple collaboration agreement. It represents a true expansion of our family, welcoming students from all over the world and transforming them into versatile professionals with a special focus on the human aspect of medicine”, said Rector Profita. He added: “UniCamillus is proud to contribute, following the guiding principles of our academic activity, to help Libya address the healthcare challenges affecting this beautiful country overlooking the Mediterranean”.