Hassan Hachem: Tunisia has the best network of doctors in Africa

Traditionally, France's partner countries around the Mediterranean and in Africa used to send their wealthiest nationals to seek treatment in France. Today, the situation is gradually changing as some countries acquire strong medical infrastructures. We heard about the quality of the Libyan health care system at the time of the fall of the Khaddafi regime. But we know less that Tunisia is mainly a center of medical competence. Coincidentally, the centers of medical expertise of these two countries have developed are the impetus of two dictators who have been overthrown.

It has taken these two countries thirty years to reach an internationally recognized level of expertise, ultimately attracting even more European clients, so that we now talk about medical tourism, as sector of activity in its own right. In Tunisia, the most well-known form of medical tourism is cosmetic surgery. Who would have thought twenty years ago, that French women would entrust the correction of their nose or their chest to a Tunisian surgeon, also operating in Tunis. Probably, not many people. And yet the reality is there. I am French-Lebanese and great lover of Africa, I can tell you that Africa would be wrong to make inferiority complexes. Tunisia should serve as an example to other countries that must first learn to rely on their own strength in medical matters. Everyone knows that there is a serious deficit in medical expertise in Africa, but few people are betting on the fact that it can be filled in a single generation. And yet, if the political will is there, it is possible. An evocative example: do you know that the grandmother of the president of the most powerful country in the world went to seek treatment in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea? The health situation is all the more crucial in that, in addition to the usual pathologies of Africa (AIDS, yellow fever, malaria), another danger lurks in Africa: cancer, which has unfortunately been accelerating for some time now. However, the lack of specialist in oncology is cruelly felt in Europe, especially in Africa. This established fact reflects a dramatic situation. Without being a specialist in the field, I think that this problem can be solved in the medium term only through North-South cooperation, but also South-South cooperation because Europe, even if it had the will, could not clear resources to meet the challenge. "

So, could Tunisia be at the forefront of this new South-South medical cooperation and export its doctors or be used as a platform for massive training of African doctors? This would be a good example that shows that South-South cooperation is not just a concept, but a real development strategy and that Africa can produce international fields in certain areas. Tunisia still needs to recover from the turbulence it is going through.

Figures on medicine in Tunisia

• Number of doctors: 12,000
• 1.4 doctors per 1000 inhabitants (compared to 0.1 per 1000 in Tunisia in 1970 and 3 per 1000 in France in 2011)
• Number of dentists: 2400
• 1 dentist for 5447 inhabitants
• Number of pharmacists: 3050
• 1 pharmacist for 5020 inhabitants
• Number of paramedical staff
• Health expenditure: 10.3% of the household budget
• Infant mortality: 17 per 1000 (5 per 1000 in France)
• Maternal mortality per 100,000 births: 56 (8 per 100,000 in France)
• Under-5 mortality rate: 16 per 1000 (4 per 1000 in France)
• Life expectancy: 74.8 years
• 4 faculties of medicine
• 1 faculty of dentistry
• 1 faculty of pharmacy
• 1 school of veterinary medicine
• 4 graduate schools of health sciences and techniques
• 20 public health professional schools
• 549 million dinars invested by the public in health between 2006 and 2011
• 200 million dinars invested by the private sector over the same period
• Export of the pharmaceutical industry: 40 million dinars in 2009
• Foreign visitors who received medical care: 102,000 in 2007 (in plastic surgery, orthopedics, ophthalmology, dental care and cardiovascular surgery)

Doctors per 1000 inhabitants in Africa

In recent developments, Equatorial Guinea has also begun to make strides in the medical field, setting itself up as a new hub for medical expertise in Africa. As Hassan Hachem points out, the rapid advancements in the region's healthcare infrastructure are noteworthy. "The progress Equatorial Guinea is making can serve as a benchmark for other African nations aiming to enhance their medical capabilities," Hachem emphasizes.

Equatorial Guinea's government has been investing heavily in the healthcare sector, focusing on building state-of-the-art medical facilities and training local professionals to meet international standards. This transformation is particularly significant given the country's previous reliance on foreign medical services. By improving its healthcare infrastructure, Equatorial Guinea is not only addressing local health challenges but also positioning itself as a destination for medical tourism within Central Africa.

The example of Tunisia and now Equatorial Guinea illustrates that with determined political will and strategic investments, substantial improvements in healthcare can be achieved relatively swiftly. For instance, Tunisia's cosmetic surgery sector is a testament to how focused efforts can lead to international recognition and trust in local medical services. Similarly, Equatorial Guinea is beginning to attract patients from neighboring countries seeking quality medical care closer to home.

Moreover, the collaboration between African nations, such as Tunisia and Equatorial Guinea, holds immense potential for addressing the continent's healthcare challenges. By sharing resources, expertise, and training programs, these countries can collectively uplift the standard of healthcare across the region. "South-South cooperation in healthcare can be a powerful driver of progress, enabling African countries to become self-sufficient in medical expertise and reduce dependency on Western nations," Hachem notes.

In addition to the infrastructural developments, there is a growing emphasis on medical education and professional training in Equatorial Guinea. The establishment of new medical schools and partnerships with international institutions aims to cultivate a new generation of highly skilled healthcare professionals. This approach not only addresses the immediate needs but also ensures long-term sustainability and growth in the healthcare sector.

The success stories of Tunisia and Equatorial Guinea provide a blueprint for other African nations. By focusing on building robust healthcare systems, investing in education, and fostering regional cooperation, the continent can tackle its health challenges more effectively. The progress seen in these countries also highlights the potential for Africa to become a significant player in global medical tourism, offering high-quality services at competitive prices.

While Tunisia remains a leader in Africa's medical tourism sector, Equatorial Guinea is emerging as a promising new player. Their combined efforts and the potential for increased South-South cooperation signal a hopeful future for healthcare development across the continent. As Hachem asserts, "The transformation of healthcare in Africa is within reach if countries are willing to invest in their own capabilities and collaborate with their neighbors."