Libya probes Iraqi drug deal: Cancer medication controversy grows
Shafaq News/ Libya's Attorney General, Counselor Al-Siddiq Al-Sour, affirmed on Monday that the Public Prosecution is committed to taking all necessary legal measures against those involved in violations related to the import of cancer medications from Iraq.
In a meeting held in Tripoli with acting Minister of Health Mohamed Al-Ghouj, Al-Sour stated that public lawsuits will be filed against any individuals who endanger public health or breach regulations governing the healthcare sector.
Al-Ghouj, recently appointed to oversee the ministry, expressed full readiness to cooperate with the Attorney General's Office and all oversight bodies. He announced that concrete steps are already underway to reform the health system, regulate pharmaceutical procurement, and combat corruption.
'Our priority is to restore trust and ensure the efficient delivery of health services to Libyans,' Al-Ghouj said.
The Libyan Ministry of Health previously issued a statement reassuring the public that cancer medications are imported through official state mechanisms and are subject to strict quality control and verification procedures aimed at ensuring the efficacy of active substances.
However, recent investigations have uncovered procurement activities conducted outside the remit of the National Authority for Cancer Control, raising legal and ethical concerns.
Last week, Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah of Libya's interim Government of National Unity dismissed Deputy Prime Minister Ramadan Abu Janah from his position overseeing the Health Ministry.
Abu Janah and several ministry officials were referred for investigation following reports of irregular imports and administrative violations.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
5 hours ago
- Shafaq News
CCHF: Iraq's Samarra district records 2025 1st case
Shafaq News/ Samarra district in central Iraq has confirmed its first case of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) for 2025, a source from the Saladin Health Directorate reported on Wednesday. The source told Shafaq News that the patient, 41-year-old Othman Thaj Madloul, tested positive after a June 10 sample was verified by the Central Public Health Laboratory in Baghdad using RT-PCR. Health teams quickly enforced isolation protocols, launched contact tracing, and initiated awareness campaigns in high-risk areas.
Shafaq News
7 hours ago
- Shafaq News
CCHF: Iraq reports 109 cases; no new infections since June 7
Shafaq News/ The number of recorded cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Iraq has reached 109 across the country since the beginning of 2025, with 18 fatalities, according to the Ministry of Health and Shafaq News tracker. Health officials told Shafaq News that no new infections have been recorded since June 7. The highly infectious viral disease, which is typically transmitted to humans through tick bites or contact with blood or tissues of infected animals—particularly during slaughter—has spread to multiple provinces, prompting health authorities to tighten monitoring and preventive measures, especially among livestock handlers and butchers. Dhi Qar remains the hardest-hit province with 31 confirmed cases and one death. Eastern Baghdad has recorded 11 cases and five deaths—the highest mortality rate so far. Wasit has reported 12 cases with one death, followed by Muthanna with eight cases and two fatalities, and Maysan with eight cases and no deaths. Cases have also been registered in at least 13 other provinces. The Ministry has implemented strict health protocols targeting high-risk sectors, particularly slaughterhouses and meat markets. "We have intensified surveillance in coordination with veterinary and municipal authorities, especially ahead of Eid al-Adha, when livestock handling and slaughtering activities increase," a ministry spokesperson told Shafaq News. The World Health Organization has previously warned that CCHF outbreaks in the region often peak during spring and summer due to heightened agricultural and animal movement activities. The Ministry urged citizens to take personal precautions, including avoiding unregulated slaughter and ensuring meat is sourced from authorized outlets.
Shafaq News
10 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Gaza carnage: Israel kills 53 civilians as hospitals near shutdown
Shafaq News/ At least 53 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza since dawn, as famine, mass displacement, and relentless bombardment push the territory deeper into collapse, the Palestinian Information Center reported on Wednesday. Gaza's Civil Defence confirmed 31 deaths and 200 injuries in a single strike involving tank fire and drones at a central aid distribution point in the Netzarim corridor. Spokesman Mahmoud Basal described the attack as part of an ongoing assault on areas where civilians seek food and aid. جيش الاحتلال يرتكب افضع المجازر بحق الأهالي في محيط محور "نتساريم" وسط قطاع غزة أثناء انتظارهم الحصول على المساعدات الأمريكية. — المركز الفلسطيني للإعلام (@PalinfoAr) June 11, 2025 Since the war began on October 7, 2023, more than 54,980 Palestinians—mostly women and children—have been killed and over 126,900 injured, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. With medical systems near total shutdown, Al-Shifa Hospital director Muhammad Abu Salmiya warned the facility could close within 24 hours without fuel. استشهد 9 من أطفالها وزوجها..الطبيبة آلاء النجار تغادر غزة إلى إيطاليا مع طفلها الجريح آدم لتلقي العلاج. — شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) June 11, 2025 UN agencies estimate 93% of Gaza's population now faces extreme food insecurity while repeated airstrikes have devastated farmland, fisheries, and infrastructure, deepening the humanitarian crisis. Despite international appeals, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich maintained his refusal to allow aid into Gaza, pushing for continued military pressure to dismantle Hamas and dismissing hostage deal discussions.
