Tunisia Officially Joins the International Union of Medical Laboratory Sciences

Tunisia has officially become a member of the International Union of Medical Laboratory Sciences (UIMLS), making it the first country in North Africa to join this global scientific organization, which comprises over 38 countries and represents over 240,000 medical laboratories worldwide.

The announcement was made by Salma Achhab, an expert in quality assurance in medical laboratories and a graduate in medical biology, during her interview on Express Fm on Friday, May 15, 2026. She emphasized that this membership is a recognition of Tunisia's expertise in medical biology and opens up new opportunities for Tunisian researchers and specialists to access the latest scientific and technological advancements.

According to the same source, Tunisia's membership was validated after presenting a comprehensive scientific dossier at an international congress held in Stockholm in September 2025. The Tunisian candidacy received the support of over 30 member countries, including the United States of America.

Salma Achhab stated that the International Union of Medical Laboratory Sciences works to strengthen scientific cooperation, exchange expertise and research, and develop continuous training and modern protocols related to diagnosis and prevention of diseases and emerging viruses.

She added that this membership will enable Tunisian researchers, particularly young ones, to participate more in international scientific conferences and present their work in global academic spaces, contributing to Tunisia's reputation in the field of medical biology.

The expert also revealed that the Tunisian Association of Biotechnicians, founded in 1987, is currently preparing Tunisia's candidacy for the executive board of the International Union at the congress scheduled to take place in Japan in 2026, with the aim of strengthening Tunisia's and Africa's presence in international scientific structures.

She recalled that medical laboratories now occupy a central place in the healthcare system, particularly after the crucial role they played during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period during which Tunisian expertise demonstrated its ability to effectively manage the health crisis.

Salma Achhab emphasized the need to continue efforts to improve the quality of services within medical laboratories, particularly in the face of emerging new viruses and diseases that require permanent adaptation to scientific and technological advancements.

She also highlighted the importance of the concept of "unique health," which relies on the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health to better anticipate future health risks.

It is worth noting that Tunisia currently has around 15,000 specialists in medical biology spread across the country. However, the sector remains confronted with additional needs for qualified human resources and equipment, particularly in the interior regions, to ensure a homogeneous level of technical and scientific quality in all laboratories across the country.

Finally, Salma Achhab called for strengthening investments in training and scientific research to enable Tunisia to consolidate its position among the main scientific and medical references in Africa and the Arab world.