Tunisia's healthcare system is set to expand remote breast imaging services to six regions, aiming to improve early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Health, will cover Jendouba, Bajah, Siliana, Tozeur, Gabes, and Mednine. This move seeks to address the shortage of specialized medical professionals in internal regions.
The project builds on a successful pilot launched in Tozeur, which connected the regional hospital to a digital platform for reading medical images and transmitting results promptly. This reduced waiting periods and eliminated the need for patients to travel to Tunis or university hospitals. According to Habiba Meizouni, head of the medical imaging department at the Ribat Hospital, the experience has been promising.
All regional hospitals in Tunisia are now equipped with necessary medical imaging equipment, including scanners, MRI machines, and mammography units, as of October 2025. However, many lack the specialized personnel to interpret the images. The remote imaging project aims to bridge this gap by connecting these facilities to a digital network.
The digital hospital project, launched on August 23, 2025, is part of the Ministry of Health's strategy to digitize the healthcare sector and develop telemedicine services. This initiative seeks to bring specialized medical services closer to citizens in internal regions, reducing travel difficulties and the shortage of specialized medical professionals.
The remote imaging system enables the electronic transmission of medical images to specialists for reading and reporting, including computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Expanding this service to breast imaging will support early detection of breast cancer and improve access to specialized diagnosis for women in internal regions.
According to Meizouni, the goal is to generalize remote breast imaging to six internal regions before the end of 2026. This move is expected to enhance the detection and diagnosis of breast cancer, improving healthcare outcomes for women in these areas.
The expansion of remote breast imaging services aligns with Tunisia's efforts to strengthen its healthcare system, particularly in internal regions. By leveraging technology and digital platforms, the country aims to provide more equitable access to specialized medical services and improve health outcomes for its citizens.
Key points
- Remote breast imaging to be expanded to six regions in Tunisia by 2026.
- The project aims to address the shortage of specialized medical professionals in internal regions.
- The initiative is part of Tunisia's strategy to digitize its healthcare sector and develop telemedicine services.
