Terminal Illness & End-of-Life Planning in Libya: 5-Step Official Checklist

1. 1

   Coordinate Specialist Medical Care, Pain Management, and Health Coverage

   • Public tertiary and oncology care: In Libya, patients diagnosed with serious or life-limiting conditions receive public treatment through major regional hospitals and specialized institutes overseen by the Ministry of Health and the Health Information and Documentation Center [1]. For oncology patients, the National Cancer Control Authority coordinates chemotherapy, radiotherapy, supportive symptom relief, and unified patient registration across specialized cancer centers in Tripoli, Benghazi, Sabratha, and Misrata [1] [2].
   • Symptom control and home-based care: Because standalone inpatient hospices are limited in Libya, supportive care and prescription pain management are coordinated directly through hospital oncology or internal medicine departments [1] [2]. Families should request a comprehensive clinical report (Taqrir Tibbi Mufassal) and an itemized medication plan from the treating consultant so that community clinics or home-visiting nurses can safely administer supportive care [1] [2].
   • Medical treatment committees and health coverage: Citizens registered with a valid National Number are entitled to free treatment in public facilities, and complex cases requiring specialized procedures may be referred to Ministry of Health medical committees or supported through employer or private medical insurance policies [1] [3].
2. 2

   Record Healthcare Preferences and Designate a Family Medical Spokesperson

   • Statutory framework for medical consent: Under Libyan medical responsibility rules and public health regulations, a patient who retains mental capacity holds the primary right to give or withhold informed consent for surgical and clinical procedures [1] [3].
   • Written care preferences: Although Libyan legislation does not establish a standalone statutory registry for living wills or Do-Not-Resuscitate orders, your family member can sign a written statement of treatment preferences and discuss palliative goals of care directly with the attending hospital physician so that those wishes are documented in the clinical file [1] [2].
   • Designating a medical proxy or representative: While capacity is intact, your family member can execute a notarized authorization naming a trusted adult relative as their primary medical representative to receive confidential clinical updates, request medical files, and coordinate with hospital medical committees if the patient later becomes unable to communicate [1] [3].
3. 3

   Execute Notarial Powers of Attorney and Bank Mandates While Capacity Is Intact

   • Notarial Powers of Attorney (Tawkil Rasmi): Under the Libyan Civil Code and notarial laws, a Power of Attorney is only valid if executed while the principal possesses full mental and legal capacity (Ahliya Kamila) [3]. Your family member should appear before a licensed Libyan Notary Public (Muharrir Uqud) - or arrange a home or hospital bedside visit by a notary - to execute either a General Power of Attorney (Tawkil Aam) for routine administration or a Special Power of Attorney (Tawkil Khas) explicitly authorizing property transactions or litigation [3].
   • Commercial bank mandates: Libyan commercial banks frequently require either their own internal account mandate form signed in person by the account holder or a recent Special Power of Attorney that explicitly names the bank and lists permitted actions (such as withdrawing pension deposits, managing standing orders, and requesting statements) [3].
   • Consequences of losing capacity without a mandate: Remember that under Libyan civil law, a Power of Attorney terminates if the principal loses legal capacity or passes away; if capacity is lost before arrangements are made, relatives must petition the Personal Status Court for a formal guardianship or curatorship order (Hajr / Qiwama) to manage assets [3].
4. 4

   Activate Disability Pensions, Chronic Illness Benefits, and Caregiver Support

   • Social Security disability pension: Under Libyan Law No. 13 of 1980 on Social Security, an insured worker whose illness results in severe or total incapacity to work may apply to the Social Security Fund (Sanduq Al-Daman Al-Ijtima'i) for a disability pension [4] [5]. A medical board appointed by the Social Security Fund evaluates the clinical dossier and determines the degree of disability and whether the patient requires the regular assistance of another person for daily living activities [4] [5] [6].
   • Constant-attendance supplement and social care: Where the medical commission confirms that the insured person requires continuous daily care from a caregiver, Law No. 13 of 1980 provides for an additional care allowance increase of up to 25 percent of the pension, alongside social care services administered by the Social Security Fund [4] [6] [7].
   • Paid sick leave for employed patients and caregivers: Under Libyan labor and civil service rules, an employed patient is entitled to statutory paid sick leave upon submitting certified medical reports, while employed family caregivers can request compassionate leave or unpaid family care leave through their employer's human resources department [3] [4].
5. 5

   Organize Civil Status Records, Wills (Wasiya), and Property Documents

   • Verify Civil Registry and Family Book records: Ensure that all family members, marriages, and births are accurately recorded in the Family Book (Kutaib Al-Aila) and the National Number database at the Civil Registry Authority, as these records form the legal basis for future pension and succession claims [3].
   • Drafting a valid will (Wasiya) under Libyan law: Under Libyan personal status law, a person of sound mind may execute a formal written will (Wasiya) notarized before a Notary Public or registered with the Personal Status Court [3]. Under statutory Sharia succession rules, testamentary bequests are valid up to one-third of the net estate (after debts and caregiving costs) and cannot alter the fixed fractional shares of legal heirs unless the adult heirs consent after the testator's lifetime [3].
   • Consolidate property deeds and cross-border documents: Gather original real estate title deeds, vehicle ownership books, bank account numbers, and social security registration cards in a secure folder [3] [5]. If family members or assets are located outside Libya, remember that Libya is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so any cross-border Power of Attorney or estate document must be legalized through the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the relevant foreign embassy [3].

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   About the Health Information and Documentation Center — Ministry of Health of Libya (Seha)
2. [2]
   National Cancer Control Authority Portal and Patient Services — National Cancer Control Authority of Libya
3. [3]
   Directory of Government Authorities and Civil Services in Libya — Libyan e-Government Portal (Ejraat)
4. [4]
   Law No. 13 of 1980 on Social Security — Libyan Security Sector Legislation Portal (DCAF)
5. [5]
   Pensions and Disability Benefits Administration — Social Security Fund of Libya
6. [6]
   Social Care and Support Services for Persons with Disabilities — Social Security Fund of Libya
7. [7]
   Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Africa - Libya — U.S. Social Security Administration / ISSA