Tunisian Young Doctors' Organization Denounces Poor Working Conditions
The President of the Tunisian Young Doctors' Organization, Dr. Wajih Dhakkar, stated on Tuesday that "a young doctor in public health works 120 hours per week and receives a salary ranging from 1500 to 1900 dinars." He also emphasized that "young doctors receive between 1 and 3 dinars per hour for on-call shifts."
Invited to speak on Jawhara FM, Dr. Dhakkar explained that "young doctors working in more than 22 hospitals have still not received their on-call shift payments and are considered the weak link in the hospital establishment." He added that "following the young doctors' protest movements, a protocol was signed on July 3, 2025, leading to the suspension of actions and the start of procedures to implement the agreed-upon points with the Ministry of Health. However, to date, nothing has changed."
Dr. Dhakkar confirmed that "the rate of doctor emigration is constantly increasing: the number of doctors who emigrated was 250 in 2010, while it reached 1500 doctors in 2023." He specified that "doctors and public health personnel are highly sought-after skills in Germany in particular, and in various countries in general." He also added that "the number of young doctors is 12,000, including 7,500 interns and residents, who work in all university and regional hospitals."
It is worth noting that the organization announced in a statement its intention to carry out a national action tomorrow, including a one-day strike of professional and university activities in medical faculties and all health and university establishments. Normal service will be maintained in emergency services, and only the minimum number of on-call shifts will be ensured in other services. This action will be accompanied by a protest rally in front of the headquarters of the Assembly of the People's Representatives, coinciding with the deliberation session on the Ministry of Health's budget, on November 19, 2025.
