The head of the Tunisian government, Hichem Mechichi, traveled to Geneva this Tuesday, June 8, for a two-day visit. He is accompanied by the Director of the Institut Pasteur in Tunis and the Chair of the Scientific Committee for the Fight against Coronavirus. The issue of getting vaccines for Tunisia is at the heart of the meetings that the Tunisian Prime Minister will hold in Geneva, including one on Wednesday with the WHO Director-General.
The period is sensitive in Tunisia. It is even qualified as “serious” by researchers in the Committee to Fight the Coronavirus. Earlier this week, members of this committee warned of a fourth wave, in late June, in Tunisia. The situation is critical in several provinces such as Sidi Bouzid or Jendouba.
Targeted containment
In Cairo, a week-long targeted detention was established and retired doctors were reminded of the rapid increase in cases. On Monday, Dr. Aman allah al Masaadi, a member of the Scientific Committee, that the number of patients in hospitals is increasing again.
Jed Henchiri, president of the Tunisian Organization of Young Doctors (OTJM), for his part condemned the “nonchalance of the government” which, according to him, “does not apply the recommendations of the Scientific Committee and keeps public places open”. This young doctor also regrets the delay in the arrival of the vaccines.
According to the Tunisian Ministry of Health, only 10% of the 11 million Tunisians, or 1.2 million people, have received a first vaccination dose since the campaign started 89 days ago.
Inertia
Tunisia received 1.6 million doses of vaccines, of which only 600,000 came from the Covax mechanism. The country hopes to be able to vaccinate five million people by the end of the summer, but the lack of vaccines and slow operations will make this goal difficult to achieve. A fourth wave at the end of June risks lowering hopes of a partial return of tourists during the summer season, while the economic situation in this country is difficult, especially due to the coronavirus.
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