Inter-ministerial working session focuses on health reform in Tunis

An inter-ministerial working session on Wednesday, focused on a set of plans to reform the health sector. According to a statement of the Prime Ministry, the meeting took the following decisions: Giving priority to the health sector and continue the process of consolidating the budget dedicated to the ministry of health. Creating, within a month, of a ministerial multi-disciplinary committee whose mission is to ensure reform of the health financing system and propose ideas and solutions to help ensure an optimal use of public funds. This committee, which will bring together representatives of the ministries of health, finance, higher education, public works, development and international co-operation along with the Prime Ministry may resort to consulting firms if necessary. The results of the committee's works would be submitted to a Cabinet meeting for review at the end of September 2013. Entrusting, within a month, a technical committee with reviewing mechanisms for financing major projects proposed and their implementation by opting for turnkey projects. This committee will be composed of representatives of the ministries of health, finance, public works and development and international co-operation and the higher commission of public procurement as well as the sector's professionals and representatives of the civil society. Revising the framework regulating conditions for the installation of private health facilities towards streamlining the health map and controlling the cost of care. Revising the additional private activity to better streamline this system, while calling for further reflection on appropriate terms thereof. Establishing the principle of creation of health poles of excellence and university hospital centres in inland regions. Ordering the completion of necessary measures for the revision of the organisational structure of the ministry of health. Examining the possibility for the ministry of health to benefit of the specific programme of employment in order to meet it additional needs in human resources. Calling upon the health ministry to co-ordinate with the ministry of the interior to study appropriate procedures to further enhance security in public health institutions.