Tunisia appears unable to stem the collapse of its medical human capital and is facing an unprecedented flight of young doctors.
Of a class of 1,900 practitioners trained in 2025, nearly 1,600 have left Tunisia, according to the Tunisian Organisation of Young Doctors (OJTM). Since 2019, approximately 6,000 doctors have chosen to go abroad, compared to only 266 in 2010.
This trend has become structural, according to the organisation.
The lack of reforms and precarious working conditions are fueling growing anger.
On May 2, a massive mobilisation brought together more than 93 percent of young doctors in front of the Ministry of Health, demanding a reform of the evaluation system, deemed arbitrary, as well as a salary increase.
Currently, compensation ranges from 1,400 to 1,900 Tunisian dinars (approximately €4.59 to €6.23) during training, and drops to between 750 and 1,200 dinars (€2.46 to €3.93) during the year of
civilian service.
On-call duty, paid between 1 and 3 dinars per hour (€0.003 to €0.009), is often paid months late.
The situation in hospitals is described as critical. Medical workers are working up to 100 hours a week.
The Supplementary Private Activity system proposed by the ministry is considered unrealistic given the current overcrowding.
The OJTM advocates for exemptions from civilian service in specific cases, but no concrete measures have been announced.
Faced with this crisis, Tunisia is moving towards recruiting foreign doctors. The regional health director of Gafsa confirmed the imminent arrival of Chinese practitioners, as part of a bilateral partnership.
SL/ac/Sf/fss/as/APA