Financial support of 143 million euros will be granted by the World Bank to the Tunisian Ministry of Health in order to strengthen the health system, reported a press release published by the ministry on Thursday, December 12, 2024.
Indeed, the funds allocated by the international financial institution are largely aimed at developing care and prevention services at the front line, supporting digitalization and digitization in the health sector, as well as strengthening telemedicine programs.
Similarly, according to the same source, this financial support will help transform Tunisia into a platform and a regional hub for vaccine manufacturing, facilitate its opening to international markets and improve the health system to respond to health emergencies.
The decision was taken following a meeting between officials from the Ministry of Health and those from the regional directorate for human development for the Middle East and North Africa at the World Bank, it was reported.
“These funds will contribute to improving the response of the Tunisian health system to health emergencies. Indeed, this initiative demonstrates the intention to strengthen the country’s capacity to deal with possible health crises,” the Tunisian Ministry of Health said.
It should be noted that the terms of use of this financial aid are still being discussed between the various parties.
Failing and riddled with corruption, the Tunisian health system suffers from several dysfunctions and a problem of underfunding on the part of the State. Added to this is competition from the private sector and the exodus of skills, including doctors and nurses, to Europe.
