Regional Health Director Announces Accelerated Progress on New Category B Hospital in Sbiba
The regional health director for Kasserine, Abdelghani Chaâbani, has reported that construction of the Category B regional hospital in the delegation of Sbiba is proceeding at a strong pace.
- Projected delivery: before the end of November 2026
- Operational start: ahead of the originally announced timeline
In a statement to the TAP Agency, Chaâbani highlighted a key feature of the project: the same contractor responsible for the construction will also supply the complete hospital equipment. This “turnkey” approach guarantees that the facility will be handed over fully equipped with all medical devices and supplies, enabling immediate commencement of services without delays caused by separate procurement procedures.
Hospital Capacity and Services
- Beds: 105
- Core departments:
- General surgery
- Gynecology‑obstetrics
- Pediatrics
- Intensive care (reanimation)
- Internal medicine
- Additional units:
- Medical imaging department
- Emergency department with a day‑hospital unit
- Multidisciplinary outpatient consultations
The hospital will also feature six operating rooms distributed among general surgery, gynecology‑obstetrics, emergency care, and the day‑hospital unit. Supporting facilities will include a central pharmacy, kitchen, sanitary units, and waiting rooms.
Financial and Contractual Details
- Total project cost (construction + equipment): approximately 77.35 million Tunisian dinars
- Contractor: a Tuniso‑Saudi joint venture
Construction officially began on 18 March 2025, even though the project has been on the agenda since 2012. The delay in starting works stemmed from the need to revise the initial studies, which were rejected by the funding agency. This revision required an updated technical dossier and the re‑initiation of procedural steps before moving into the execution phase.
Strategic Impact
The new Category B regional hospital in Sbiba represents a qualitative upgrade of the health‑care infrastructure in the Kasserine governorate. It is expected to:
- Enhance specialized medical services for residents of Sbiba and neighboring delegations, especially El Ayoun and Jedelienne
- Reduce patient travel to distant hospitals in other governorates, thereby improving access to care and easing the burden on patients and families
This development underscores the Tunisian government’s commitment to expanding and modernizing regional health facilities, aligning with broader goals of equitable health‑care access across the country.
