The Ministry of Health concluded the year with an end-of-year press conference, shedding light on the significant progress made in advancing the health sector.
Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, proudly announced that all promises made in the 2020 election manifesto regarding the health sector have been fulfilled.
These commitments include the upgrading of healthcare facilities, increased remuneration for health workers, and the expansion of health services.
A substantial investment of two billion dollars has been directed towards upgrading and constructing 271 health centers and staff facilities nationwide.
Surgical capacity was also enhanced, with Mahdia experiencing such upgrades for the first time.
Minister Anthony expressed optimism, stating that the physical infrastructure for all six regional hospitals is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
Dr. Anthony highlighted improvements in the pharmaceutical supply chain due to a more robust procurement system, proper storage, and reliable delivery to hospitals.
Additionally, the commitment to increased remuneration for clinical staff, including nurses, allied health workers, and medical doctors, was honored in 2023.
Addressing a major concern, the ministry provided healthcare workers with the option to choose between a pensionable establishment or a contract, providing flexibility to the workforce.
Generous tax incentives for private healthcare delivery providers were successfully implemented, resulting in the addition of private medical facilities and the acquisition of new equipment for improved service delivery.
The Ministry of Health accomplished the implementation of a performance management system, leading to reduced waiting times in emergency rooms for surgeries and an enhanced patient record-keeping system.
As the year concludes, the Ministry of Health’s achievements underscore its commitment to delivering quality healthcare services, fulfilling promises, and creating a robust and resilient health sector for the nation.