Tunisia Healthcare 101
Structure of the Healthcare
The Ministry of Health oversees the healthcare system in Tunisia where the public and private sectors work to offer primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare services. It presides over the development and implementation of policies.
MOH supervises establishments including Central Pharmacy of Tunisia (PCT), Pharmaceutical Industries Company of Tunisia (SIPHAT), National Office for Family and Population (ONFP), Computer Center of the Ministry of Health (CIMS), and National Agency for Sanitary and Environmental Control of Products (ANCSEP) which together makes sure that the health sector is sufficient enough to meet the needs of the population over the long run.
Financing Healthcare
Healthcare in Tunisia is financed by the government budget, social health insurance, private insurance, and out-of-pocket payments. Public healthcare is universal to every citizen, particularly primary healthcare, while accessing secondary and tertiary healthcare at a minimal charge.
The National Health Insurance Fund, Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Maladie (CNAM), manages the public health insurance plan, which is compulsory and available to formally employed citizens and their dependants, which approximately covers 68% of the population. Every citizen is obliged to pay to the CNAM. This health insurance plan purchases health services from both the public and private healthcare providers. CNAM pools from previous-existed health insurance plans. Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale (CNSS) covers employees formally employed in the public and private sectors. Caisse Nationale de Retraite et de Prévoyance (CNRPS) covers civil servants and retirees.
The Free Medical Assistance Program (Assistance Médicale Gratuite, FMAP) is designed for the poor and vulnerable population.
Investment Opportunities
Lucrative opportunities to invest in Tunisia include:
Medical and Training Facilities
Medical Tourism
Private Health Insurance
Start Ups & Technology
Sghartoon
E7mi
Katomi
Challenges
The prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) is a threat to the aging population.
There is a challenge in sustaining the national health insurance due to limited capacity to collect excess funds for fostering the healthcare sector.
There remain a high number of unemployed graduated health professionals.
Solutions
The development and reinforcement of disease prevention programs will create an effective pathway for priority disease treatment and referral systems.
The establishment of strong partnerships with private stakeholders and international organizations will lead to adequate funds which can be collected to finance and sustain the national health insurance program.
Apaid-healthcare professional graduate program will ensure that graduates are inducted in a system that prepares them for a practical working environment upon completion of their coursework.