Tunisia's Minister of Communication Technology, Sofiene Hemissi, has emphasized his department's commitment to contributing to the reform of the country's healthcare system and the digital transformation of the sector. This effort aligns with the country's national health objectives for 2030 and its digital agenda. Speaking at the "Telehealth Connect 2026" international conference in Tunis, Hemissi called for harnessing technological progress to improve healthcare services and enhance access equity.
Hemissi stressed that the success of digital transformation should not be measured solely by the number of platforms and applications created. Instead, it should be evaluated by its ability to alleviate citizens' burdens, reduce waiting times, improve patient care, and ensure equal access to healthcare across all regions. The digital transformation should also enhance diagnosis, therapeutic follow-up, and prevention.
The Minister's department is collaborating with the Health Ministry on several initiatives, including the establishment of a national interconnected health data system. This system will enable the development of a digital health file for citizens and facilitate data exchange between healthcare institutions. Hemissi advocated for common standards, a reinforced digital infrastructure, and the guarantee of data security and confidentiality, while respecting citizens' rights.
Hemissi also emphasized the need to accelerate the "Digital Hospital" project, which aims to interconnect healthcare institutions, promote teleconsultation, and enhance access to specialized care. He noted that the project's success requires complementarity of equipment, infrastructure, human resources, and continuous training. Hemissi called for the exploitation of health data to improve health indicators and support the national surveillance system.
The Minister highlighted the importance of using artificial intelligence responsibly, respecting citizens' privacy, national legislation, and transparency. He also stressed that digital transformation cannot achieve its objectives without digital inclusion and reducing regional disparities. To address this, Hemissi called for expanding telecommunications networks, connecting healthcare institutions, and developing citizens' digital skills.
Hemissi invited public and private institutions, technology companies, research centers, and investors to engage in this endeavor, citing Tunisia's medical, technological, and scientific expertise, strategic location, and clear political will. He emphasized that the future of healthcare is not shaped solely by technology, but by a clear vision, inter-institutional cooperation, and investment in human resources.
Ultimately, Hemissi concluded that the citizen must be at the center of this transformation, and that the country's goal is to place Tunisia at the forefront of digital health. With a focus on equity, quality, and accessibility, Tunisia aims to revolutionize its healthcare sector through digital transformation.
Key points
- The Tunisian government aims to digitally transform its healthcare sector to improve services and equity of access.
- The digital transformation will focus on enhancing diagnosis, therapeutic follow-up, and prevention.
- The success of the transformation will be measured by its impact on citizens' lives, including reduced waiting times and improved patient care.
