The International Digital Health Conference "Telehealth Connect 2026" kicked off in Tunisia on September 29, 2026, with the participation of experts and representatives from nearly 35 countries and international institutions from Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and the United States. The three-day conference aims to explore ways to develop digital health and telemedicine, expanding access to healthcare services.
The conference discusses the role of digitalization in bringing healthcare services closer to remote areas, improving diagnosis and monitoring, and addressing challenges related to personal data protection, artificial intelligence governance, and cybersecurity. Participants also exchange experiences and identify regional cooperation projects in digital health.
Tunisian Health Minister, Mustafa Al-Ferjani, stated that digitalization is a crucial tool for achieving health equity and access to specialized medicine. He announced that the conference will conclude with a declaration of major principles in digital health, focusing on achieving equitable access to healthcare services, protecting personal data, and promoting cybersecurity and data sovereignty.
The Tunisian minister revealed that the upcoming declaration, titled "Tunis Declaration for a Fair, Safe, and Humane Digital Health Transformation," is based on principles including trust between medical professionals and patients, equitable access to healthcare services, and respect for and protection of personal data. The declaration also emphasizes self-reliance in artificial intelligence, developed with Tunisian expertise combining engineers and doctors.
Minister Al-Ferjani presented Tunisia's experience in digital hospitals, highlighting that over 32 hospitals have been equipped with remote medical imaging devices operating 24/7. This has enabled the completion of more than 120,000 radiology exams since the digital hospital began operating. He also noted the growth of telemedicine services and remote consultations.
Dr. Habiba Al-Mizouni, a radiology specialist with the digital hospital team, emphasized that the international conference in Tunisia reflects efforts to digitalize the healthcare sector and improve services. She noted that the medical imaging department covers the needs of regions regarding radiology and magnetic resonance imaging exams.
The conference also saw the participation of Mohamed Ben Omar, Director General of the Arab Organization for Communication and Information Technologies, who stressed the need to transition digital health from separate initiatives to a sustainable and scalable regional system. He emphasized that artificial intelligence opens up opportunities for early diagnosis, medical decision support, and remote patient monitoring.
Key points
- The conference aims to develop digital health and telemedicine, expanding access to healthcare services.
- The Tunisian minister announced a declaration of major principles in digital health, focusing on achieving equitable access to healthcare services and protecting personal data.
- The conference brings together experts and representatives from nearly 35 countries to exchange experiences and identify regional cooperation projects in digital health.
