Alarm Sounded on Rising Healthcare Costs in Tunisia
Dr. Habib Jerbi, President of the Tunisian Association of General Medicine and Family Medicine, has sounded the alarm on the increasing financial burden borne by citizens to access healthcare in Tunisia. Speaking on Mosaïque FM, on the sidelines of the National Congress of the association held on October 23 and 24 in Hammamet Sud, Dr. Jerbi indicated that the direct contribution of Tunisians to the financing of health coverage exceeds 40%, a rate he described as very high compared to international standards. Despite this significant contribution, he lamented that Tunisian citizens do not have access to all medical services due to the non-reimbursement of several benefits by the National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM). He therefore called for strengthening the financial capacities of social security funds and ensuring better equity in access to care, so that all social categories can benefit from the same medical services with the same quality.
Key Themes of the Congress
Among the flagship themes of the congress is also the issue of rationalizing the use of medications, in accordance with the recommendations of the Ministry of Health issued last month. According to Dr. Jerbi, this approach aims to:
- Limit prescriptions to essential medications
- Raise awareness among patients not to buy antibiotics without a prescription
- Promote the prescription of locally produced medications, with a view to controlling costs and promoting Tunisian medicine.
This initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the healthcare system in Tunisia, making it more efficient and equitable for all citizens.
