Pretoria - The largest disaster relief organisation on the African continent, Gift of the Givers, is urging health practitioners to assist in offering medical treatment to victims of the ongoing political unrest at the Libyan border.
Imtiaz Sooliman of the Gift of the Givers said they had received communication from Libyan doctors in both South Africa and the United States who are eager to assist.
"All medical personnel interested in being part of the response team are welcome to phone in with their details which include their speciality, years of experience, cell number and email address," he said.
A Gift of the Givers advance team will depart for the Libyan border soon with the hope of entering the country to see what is required.
"Medical volunteers, especially with experience in trauma, are requested to be on standby, if they are keen to assist, bearing in mind that the situation is very risky. Medical teams, medical equipment, medical supplies and eventually ordinary items like bottled water and food are the envisaged essential requirements.
"All this needs to be verified, hence the deployment of the advance team. It is quite likely that the situation may deteriorate substantially in the coming days if increased, disproportionate force is used to try to recapture 'lost' territory," he said.
Libya has been ruled by Muammar al-Gaddafi since 1969. Earlier this month, mass protests and demonstrations broke out across Libya against Gaddafi's government.
By Wednesday, the Libyan opposition was reported to be in control of several coastal towns and cities in eastern and central Libya, with other sources stating that the Gaddafi government only retained control of a few parts of Tripoli and the southern desert town of Sabha.
Governments across the world, including South Africa, continue to bring their citizens home from turbulent Libya, while Gaddafi clings to power despite nationwide protests.
