On Thursday, Tunisian Minister of Health, Mustafa Al-Ferjani, and Minister of Communication Technologies, Sufyan Al-Hamisi, signed the National Health Charter, in the presence of several ambassadors, representatives of international organizations, and partners in the health sector. The charter aims to accelerate the achievement of universal health coverage and enhance the right to health, as enshrined in the 2022 constitution. The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the International Conference on Digital Health, "Telehealth Connect 2026," held in Tunis from September 29 to October 1, 2026.
The National Health Charter is based on six key pillars, including ensuring equitable digital access to health services, continuity and coordination of healthcare pathways, establishing a sovereign and secure governance framework for health data, updating infrastructure and digital platforms, developing skills and research, and enhancing the security of the pharmaceutical supply chain. The charter represents an agreement between the Ministry of Health and its international partners, including Japan, the World Health Organization, and the World Bank, to support Tunisia's efforts to achieve universal health coverage.
Minister Al-Ferjani emphasized that the charter aims to ensure that all citizens have access to healthcare services, particularly in rural areas, and benefit from medical expertise and modern technologies through telemedicine and digitalization. This will alleviate the burden of travel and associated costs for citizens. He noted that Tunisia has made significant progress in digital health transformation, with the national vaccination platform, "EVAX," connecting nearly 2,000 centers and tracking 13 million vaccine doses.
The International Conference on Digital Health, "Telehealth Connect 2026," provided a platform for in-depth discussions between stakeholders, culminating in the signing of the National Health Charter. Minister Al-Ferjani stated that the next phase will focus on implementing commitments and continuing collaboration with partners in the field. The Global Digital Health Summit, hosted by Tunisia in 2026, opened up new avenues for cooperation with several organizations, countries, and companies operating in digital health.
The summit resulted in the "Tunis Declaration," which serves as a roadmap for enhancing cooperation in digital health, prioritizing digital sovereignty, data protection, and responsible use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Minister Al-Ferjani announced that a meeting will be held in December 2026 in Japan to discuss the roadmap for universal health coverage, in collaboration with partners, including the World Health Organization, Japan, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
The National Health Charter has the support of the World Bank and the World Health Organization, and represents a platform for international cooperation aimed at supporting efforts to achieve universal health coverage and strengthen health systems' response to population needs. Minister Al-Ferjani stressed that the charter's signing represents a step in a continuous process of collaborative work, with the ultimate goal of making the right to health a tangible reality for all citizens.
The charter's implementation will involve the coordination of efforts between various stakeholders, including public sector institutions, healthcare professionals, academic institutions, the private sector, and international partners. The success of this process will be measured by its impact on healthcare services, improving access, continuity, and quality. KEY_POINT: The National Health Charter aims to accelerate universal health coverage and strengthen digital health transformation in Tunisia. KEY_POINT: The charter is based on six key pillars, including equitable digital access to health services and data governance. KEY_POINT: The charter has the support of international partners, including the World Bank and the World Health Organization.
