The International Francophone Federation of Clinical Biology and Laboratory Medicine (FIFBCML) has elected Pr Manel Chaabane as its president. Chaabane, a Tunisian professor, was elected along with Pr Yosr Galai as deputy secretary general, both representing the Tunisian Society of Clinical Biology (STBC). This development comes 19 years after the FIFBCML was established in Hammamet, Tunisia.
The FIFBCML brings together medical biology societies and unions from the Francophone world. Founded on May 11, 2007, in Hammamet by five countries - Algeria, France, Lebanon, Morocco, and Tunisia - the federation now comprises 17 learned societies from nine countries across three continents. By 2027, it will have 19 members from 11 countries on four continents with the addition of the Association of Biochimistes du Québec and the Burkinabé Society of Clinical Biology.
The FIFBCML aims to utilize the Francophone community as a channel for exchanging ideas among clinical biology professionals. Its objectives include promoting training, enhancing the quality of analyses, and contributing to public health. With Tunisia as one of the founding countries, it will occupy three seats in the federation's bureau. This reflects the recognition of Tunisia's medical biology sector within the Francophone community and the collaborative efforts of its public and private sector biologists.
The new presidency will be honored at the 4th National Congress of Medical Biology (CNBM 2026), organized by the Tunisian Private Biologists' Union (STBP) on November 6-7, 2026, in Hammamet. The congress, under the auspices of the FIFBCML, will bring together over 300 biologists, including delegations from Algeria, Morocco, and France, as well as FIFBCML representatives.
A roundtable discussion titled "Medical Biology 2030: New Forms of Practice, New Missions" will precede the FIFBCML's general assembly on November 6. The 2nd Tunisian Forum on Medical Biology, scheduled for April 28-30, 2027, will be the first event under the new presidency. Co-organized by the STBC, STBP, and FIFBCML, it will gather Tunisian and Francophone biologists from both public and private sectors.
Dr. Khalil Ben Abdallah, President of the STBP and representative of the FIFBCML's affiliated members, expressed his pride in seeing Tunisia preside over the FIFBCML. He emphasized the goal of making this presidency a period of openness, focusing on strengthening training and quality, and giving young Francophone biologists a significant role in their activities.
The election of Pr Manel Chaabane and the upcoming events signify a crucial period for the Tunisian medical biology sector. The FIFBCML's growth and the active participation of Tunisian professionals highlight the country's significant role in advancing clinical biology and laboratory medicine within the Francophone community.
Key points
- Pr Manel Chaabane elected president of FIFBCML
- FIFBCML to have 19 members from 11 countries by 2027
- Tunisia to host key medical biology events in 2026 and 2027
