Doctor sets out to heal Libya’s health system - New minister faces culture of corruption

[tabatha]

Libya’s new health minister says rampant corruption and nepotism have taken a “terrible toll” on the North African nation’s health care system.

Dr. Hamroush, who left Libya 17 years ago, said the health care system will require a major overhaul. “We have to have a clean start. It is not one man’s task. It is a colossal task,” she said.

Contracts to procure hospital equipment often are decided not on the basis of quality, but on the size of the bribe. Hospitals end up with defective equipment that hinder doctors’ abilities to do their jobs.

When it comes to hiring hospital staff, social connections often trump qualifications, and that undermines the quality of care, she added.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/nov/30/doctor-sets-out-to-heal-libyas-health-system/?page=all#pagebreak

[Arctic Dave]

1. "not on the basis of quality, but on the size of the bribe"

Does this guy really think it's not like that all around the world.

[tabatha]

2. First of all it is not a guy, it is a woman.

And, no, in some countries there are no bribes.

I have been in engineering associated with medical industries, for a few decades in two different countries, and equipment was only ever bought on the basis of suitability and nothing else.