Current Status and Future of Undergraduate Medical Education in Libya

Abstract

Medical education in Libya has a long and complex trajectory, reflecting both the country’s aspirations for modern health care and the persistent challenges of political instability, resource limitations, and global integration (1). The first medical faculties in Benghazi and Tripoli were established in the early 1970s, modeled on international curricula and taught in English, with foreign professors forming the backbone of the teaching staff. These institutions produced generations of physicians who served nationally and abroad. Yet, over time, the system has struggled to adapt to contemporary demands, with outdated curricula, insufficient infrastructure, and shortages of qualified faculty undermining its capacity to deliver high‑quality medical training.