Effect of the Libyan Conflict on Genodermatoses` Service

Libyan Genodermatoses Task Force members:

Abstract

A twelve-year-long conflict in Libya has badly affected its health system. The Libyan 
Genodermatoses Task Force (LTG) analyzed assessments conducted by the World Health 
Organization in Libya on the impact of the armed conflict in Libya on health services, and results 
were used as a proxy indicator to access to rare skin diseases, including genodermatoses clinics. 
A web-based registry platform was introduced in 2024 by the LGT and an Xcel live document to 
fill in the data about genodermatoses during the conflict period, and the data were compared to 
the surveys conducted before the conflict. Reduced availability and readiness for dermatology 
services and under-recording of genodermatoses were reported. The total number of registered 
cases of genodermatoses in the 12-year post-conflict period was much lower than the number of 
cases reported in one year before the conflict (766 vs. 1,024). There is a need to improve the 
national registry of genodermatoses and guide efforts to improve the services for these rare 
diseases, which were further neglected during the conflict.