Tunisia and China Sign Three New Health Agreements
The Minister of Health, Mustapha Ferjani, announced on Friday the signing of three new agreements between Tunisia and China in the field of health, aiming to strengthen concrete partnerships between hospitals, universities, and experts. This announcement was made during the opening of the first Tunisian Forum for the Development of Sino-African Medicine, which will continue until Saturday.
First Agreement: Partnership between Al-Rabita Hospital and Jiangxi Provincial Hospital
The first agreement establishes a partnership between Al-Rabita Hospital and Jiangxi Provincial Hospital in China, focusing on medical training and the creation of a joint center for cardiovascular diseases. This center will specialize in modern catheterization techniques.
Second Agreement: Collaboration between Tunis Medical School and Sino-African Medical Alliance
The second agreement was signed between the Faculty of Medicine in Tunis and the Sino-African Medical Alliance. It concentrates on introducing new techniques in urological surgery, training Tunisian and African doctors, and supporting advanced medical technology. A team of Chinese doctors performed three surgical interventions at Habib Thameur Hospital on Friday, using cutting-edge techniques.
Third Agreement: Development of Mobile Surgical Units
The third agreement concerns the development of mobile surgical units, with China soon delivering a fully equipped surgical bus to Tunisia. The bus will include an operating room, equipment for resuscitation, monitoring, and first aid, aiming to strengthen health services in inland regions.
Objectives of the Forum
According to the Minister, the forum aims to build an advanced, equitable, and humane health partnership, combining traditional medicine, modern medicine, precision medicine, and artificial intelligence. It also seeks to facilitate the exchange of experiences and skills.
Context and Significance
The Minister highlighted that this forum takes place in a context of rapid global health transformations and cross-border challenges, making the reinforcement of cooperation in innovation and science indispensable. He also reminded that Tunisia is working to rebuild its health system through improved governance, training, and infrastructure, as well as the integration of digitization and artificial intelligence for diagnosis, facility management, epidemic surveillance, and electronic medical records. Additionally, Tunisia aims to develop its pharmaceutical industry and medical equipment to strengthen health sovereignty.
Historical Relations and Future Prospects
The Minister emphasized the historical relations between Tunisia and China, noting that President Kais Saied's visit to China in 2024 opened new perspectives for a strategic partnership in modern medicine, traditional medicine, robotic surgery, precision medicine, artificial intelligence, and skill training.
Forum Activities
The two-day forum includes scientific interventions on traditional medicine, phytotherapy, modern and precision medicine, as well as sessions on cardiac surgery, artificial intelligence in digital health, and telemedicine. The objective is to create a concrete and evolving partnership between Tunisia, China, and Africa, offering shared benefits in the face of global health transformations.
International Cooperation
The forum was also marked by speeches from the Chinese Ambassador to Tunisia, Wan Li, the representative of the Egyptian Ministry of Health, Mohamed Hassan, and Wissam Manqoula, representing the African Center for Disease Control of the African Union. All emphasized the importance of international cooperation, innovation, and the integration of traditional and modern medicine to strengthen health sovereignty and develop effective therapeutic solutions.
