Crisis Management in Public Medical Laboratories in Benghazi: An Assessment of Operational Readiness and Organizational Challenges

Abstract

This paper examines the state of crisis management in public medical laboratories in Benghazi—an area representing a research gap that has not received sufficient attention—and the potential negative repercussions on service delivery during various crises. It also highlights the logistical and organizational challenges affecting their operational readiness during emergencies. To achieve this aim, the study employs a descriptive-analytical methodology, utilizing a questionnaire as the primary tool for data collection. The study sample comprised 192 individuals—technical and supervisory staff—working in the medical laboratories of the Benghazi Medical Center, Al-Jalaa Hospital for Surgery and Accidents, and the Children's Hospital; these are considered among the most important public health institutions in Benghazi. The study findings indicate that the level of operational readiness and proactive crisis planning within these medical laboratories is poor and concerning, as the laboratories face numerous problems and challenges, alongside a near-total absence of pre-established crisis management scenarios. Furthermore, the results indicate a severe supply chain crisis and disruptions to key operational drivers caused by administrative bureaucracy and other related factors. In a related context, a One-Way ANOVA analysis reveals statistically significant differences (at the α ≤ 0.05 level) in staff evaluations attributable to the workplace location variable (Sig = 0.000). Post-hoc comparisons using the Scheffé test revealed that the severity of evaluations and the perception of obstacles clearly lean towards Al-Jalaa Hospital for Surgery and Accidents, given its high operational pressure as the primary gateway for emergency and critical trauma cases in Benghazi. The study concludes with practical recommendations emphasizing the need for organizational restructuring and the implementation of predictive inventory control mechanisms for laboratory supplies, alongside proposals for future studies to further understand and address the shortcomings facing medical laboratories in this regard.