Maghreb patients prefer Tunisia hospitals

Tunisia's experienced medical personnel, coupled with the country's mild climate, render the country a prime health spot for Maghrebi patients.

By Monia Ghanmi for Magharebia in Tunis – 09/11/10

Tunisia is becoming the number one medical haven for its Algerian and Libyan neighbors. The Health Ministry reported that Tunisian health institutions received more than 140,000 Libyan and Algerian patients last year.

"In Libya, we suffer from the bad treatment of medical professionals and from their indifference to the health problems that worry us," frequent visitor of Tunisian clinics Bouajila Fakhri told Magharebia.

Dissatisfied with local medical services, Libyans found solutions in Tunisia. A famous clinic in Tunisia is now known as the Libyan Clinic.

The Libyan government said earlier this year that the state has spent almost 2.5 billion Libyan dinars (1.5 billion euros) on the health sector last year, adding that the country has 97 hospitals, featuring 20,689 beds.

Some Libyans, however, question the healthcare reform data, noting that Libyan clinics still suffer from negligence and a dearth of basic equipment, including beds, blankets and air conditioners.

"All of these factors made Libyan citizens lose confidence in the health services that are provided in their country and leave them for hospitals in neighboring states," Libyan patient Hamida Abd Karim said.

According to the 2009 Libyan Health Secretariat report, 566 doctors were sent for overseas courses to raise their competency level in 2008. Meanwhile, 6,024 local courses were held for medical professionals. The same source said that 1,283 patients went abroad to seek help in 2008, compared to 399 in 2007.

Nawal Issaoui came to Tunisia with her ill father after doctors in Libya advised him to complete his treatment in Tunisia. Although she found it easy to have the necessary examinations made in Tunisia and praised the speed and accuracy in collecting the test results, Issaoui confirmed that most Libyans come to Tunisia for treatment to show off, adding that all capabilities are available in her country.

Meanwhile, the number of Algerians who seek treatment in Tunisia is on the rise as well. Clinics in Tunis, Sousse and Sfax have turned into destinations for Algerian patients, especially during the tourist season. Many Algerians prefer to kill two birds with one stone, by spending their summer vacation in Tunisia and simultaneously seeking medical help.

Some Algerians note that brain drain resulted in low expertise of medical professionals in Algeria and forced patients resort to Tunisian clinics.

The Order of French Doctors revealed in 2009 that there are 1,934 Algerian doctors in France, constituting 10.26% of the total number of foreigners working at French hospitals. Moroccans account for 7.69% and Tunisian for 4.85%.

Algerian patients complain about carelessness and lack of attention by local doctors. According to the Order of Algerian Doctors, more than 200 medical errors were made in 2009.

A study by the Canadian University of Sherbrooke and the World Health Organization (WHO) released September 14th confirmed that Tunisia has the best health care system in the Maghreb region.

In 2008, the country had 1.2 doctors per 1,000 citizens, as compared to 1.2 in Algeria and 0.6 in Morocco. The average life expectancy is 70 years for men and 75 years for women, compared to 70 years for men and 74 for women in Morocco, and 70 years for men and 72 for women in Algeria. Tunisia also has the lowest infant mortality rate (23 per 1,000, compared to 37 in Morocco and 38 in Algeria).

According to the report, among the main factors that contributed to the positive indicator in Tunisia were the eradication of all epidemics and medical training that conforms to international criteria.

Source: Magharebia.com.
Link: http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2010/11/09/feature-02.