Tunisia health union calls for recognition, end to neglect

Following Tunisia’s drive to vaccinate half a million people against coronavirus on Sunday, the General Union of Health has kicked back at statements and reports which give the military full credit for the work undertaken to tackle the pandemic. “Recent official statements have led to great disappointment by exaggerating the role of military healthcare – whose contribution we respect – in contrast to ignoring the role the public health sector has played,” a statement by the union said. “Healthcare professionals are the ones who have borne the difficulties of the task, and worked on the ground from the early hours of the morning till late at night, and it is they who delivered more than three million jabs since the campaigns began,” it continued.

On Sunday the Tunisian Ministry of Health held a national vaccination drive during which 551,000 vaccinations were administered in 335 centres, with the army called in to help.

Many said the move, which was ordered by President Kais Saied was a political gesture as it came weeks after he cited Article 80 of the constitution to dismiss Prime Minister Hicham Mechichi, freeze the work of parliament for 30 days, lift the immunity of ministers, and appoint himself as head of the executive authority until the formation of a new government. A move which the majority of the country’s political parties slammed as a “coup against the constitution” and the achievements of the 2011 revolution. The full text of the General Health Union’s statement can be found below: 

Enough neglect, enough ingratitude

The General Union for Health expresses pride in the tireless healthcare sector, which has been loyal to its values and to the values of humanity, and salutes all workers of this sector who competently delivered the national vaccination day against covid on 8 August 2021.The Union also thanks and commends all the components of civil society, national organisations, the military, the police, participating ministries and all the volunteering bodies. The Union reminds the public that:

• The general context and change in political climate after 25 July had given some hope to healthcare workers, as it did for other Tunisians. However, recent official statements have led to great disappointment by exaggerating the role of military healthcare – whose contribution we respect – in contrast to ignoring the role the public health sector has played. This indicates the perpetuation of neglect and lack of recognition, and poses questions with regards to the position of public healthcare, its workers, and their role in the visions and projects awaiting the sector.
• Healthcare professionals are the ones who have borne the difficulties of the task, and worked on the ground from the early hours of the morning till late at night, and it is they who delivered more than three million jabs since the campaigns began, and who have been treating the ill; thousands of them have been infected by the virus, and they have sacrificed hundreds of martyrs killed by the pandemic.

While such neglect and denial is sure to increase the level of anger, grievance and feelings of injustice, it will not diminish in the slightest the determination of health workers and their patriotic spirit; they will continue their sacrifices and will not give up fighting for their rights with the same brave spirit.Our white army of health workers has always stood on the front lines to serve the people, members and volunteers, despite exhaustion, fatigue and aggression, despite shortcomings, they have worked since the start of the pandemic tirelessly and against all odds, standing up tall in the face of systematic destructive policies against the public sector, forged by corrupt lobbies and those who trade in the lives of Tunisians, despite the neglect and indifference of officials, politicians and successive governments. The Public Health Sector is the first and last guarantee of everyone’s right to health.

Othmen Jalouli

General Secretary

General Health Union

READ: Tunisia vaccinates more than 0.5m people in one day