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Royal Marines medics train personnel in Libya for first time in ten years
5 December 2024
Royal Marines Reservists have helped to deliver the first military medical training in Libya in ten years.
The short-term training team, which also included an Army officer from 16 Medical Regiment, spent a week in the country delivering training to both civilian and military medics.
The initiative, led by Col Matt Ketterer, aimed to equip Libyan medical personnel with the skills necessary to save lives in challenging battlefield conditions.
The training sessions, held at a villa in Tripoli under the watchful eye of the Defence Attaché and the Director General Libyan Medical Corps, covered a wide range of topics, including:
• Military Medical Training, which prioritises immediate life-saving interventions, such as controlling bleeding and airway management.
• Prolonged Field Care, which focuses on providing care to casualties in remote or austere environments, often for extended periods.
The Libyan participants were enthusiastic and eager to learn, demonstrating a strong commitment to improving their medical capabilities.
“The Libyan participants were enthusiastic and eager to learn, demonstrating a strong commitment to improving their medical capabilities,” said Cpl Rhys Banfield, from RMR Bristol.
“The training sessions were interactive and hands-on, allowing participants to practise the techniques under simulated conditions.
“By equipping Libyan medics with advanced medical skills, we have contributed to enhancing the country's healthcare infrastructure and its ability to respond to emergencies. This investment in human resource will undoubtedly save lives and improve the overall health and well-being of the Libyan people.”
In all, the team delivered training to 30 Libyan medics and have been asked to deliver future training during 2025.