Boosting the Responsiveness and Resilience of the Tunisian Health System

In the desert town of Kébili, Tunisia, UNICEF's support has transformed the local health infrastructure, particularly in bolstering the cold chain system crucial for vaccine storage. Dr. Ali Tabbal, the health center's director, underscores the significance of this upgrade, especially in remote areas where maintaining stable temperatures for vaccines is challenging.

Beyond cold chain improvements, UNICEF's comprehensive assistance in Tunisia's COVID-19 response has included vital medical equipment, vaccines, and specialized care units. Through partnerships with various organizations, such as the German Government and USAID, UNICEF's interventions have significantly enhanced the region's healthcare capacity, ensuring better access to essential services and contributing to overall community well-being.

Kebili, Tunisia. 2024

Done for UNICEF Tunisia

The main entrance of Kébili Regional Hospital. Kébili is a city in the desert in the south of Tunisia. UNICEF and their partners have sent medical equipment there. - Paula González Gavilanes
The main entrance of Kébili Regional Hospital.
Kébili is a city in the desert in the south of Tunisia. UNICEF and their partners have sent medical equipment there.
Providing oxygen equipment to this hospital has been one of the most important interventions of UNICEF and its partners. Now the hospital is thriving, helping to fight long COVID, support mothers and babies, as well as a host of other health challenges. - Paula González Gavilanes
Providing oxygen equipment to this hospital has been one of the most important interventions of UNICEF and its partners. Now the hospital is thriving, helping to fight long COVID, support mothers and babies, as well as a host of other health challenges.
Children of all ages could benefit from the oxygen equipment. For example in the pediatric ward, the incubators where newborns are in are also connected to the hospital's oxygen system. - Paula González Gavilanes
Children of all ages could benefit from the oxygen equipment. For example in the pediatric ward, the incubators where newborns are in are also connected to the hospital's oxygen system.
During the worst moments of the Covid-19 pandemic, they had to use the pediatric ward for Covid patients. Ounallah, director of Maintenance in the hospital adds that “from 2020 to 2022 we had tons of problems. We are very far from the center of oxygen production. The oxygen was delivered to us in tanks from Tunis, 550 kilometers away!” - Paula González Gavilanes
During the worst moments of the Covid-19 pandemic, they had to use the pediatric ward for Covid patients. Ounallah, director of Maintenance in the hospital adds that “from 2020 to 2022 we had tons of problems. We are very far from the center of oxygen production. The oxygen was delivered to us in tanks from Tunis, 550 kilometers away!”
Ounallah emphasizes that “oxygen equipment isn’t used just for COVID. We can use it for anyone who has respiratory problems, and any treatment requiring intensive care.” That can be the case of newborn babies. - Paula González Gavilanes
Ounallah emphasizes that “oxygen equipment isn’t used just for COVID. We can use it for anyone who has respiratory problems, and any treatment requiring intensive care.” That can be the case of newborn babies.
Amria Laghdaoui, a nurse in the children and mothers department at the basic health center in Kébili, has worked on the vaccination process hands-on, on a daily basis, since 2001. “We work on the health clinics here 6 days a week, where we commit Mondays and Wednesdays to vaccinations,” she said. - Paula González Gavilanes
Amria Laghdaoui, a nurse in the children and mothers department at the basic health center in Kébili, has worked on the vaccination process hands-on, on a daily basis, since 2001. “We work on the health clinics here 6 days a week, where we commit Mondays and Wednesdays to vaccinations,” she said.
“The cold chain comes down to vaccination. Kébili is a desert province and is more than 500 kilometers from the capital from where the vaccines are sent, the cold chain is vital to keeping a stable low temperature to keep vaccines from expiring.” Explains Dr. Doctor Ali Tabbal, the Basic Health Center’s director. - Paula González Gavilanes
“The cold chain comes down to vaccination. Kébili is a desert province and is more than 500 kilometers from the capital from where the vaccines are sent, the cold chain is vital to keeping a stable low temperature to keep vaccines from expiring.” Explains Dr. Doctor Ali Tabbal, the Basic Health Center’s director.
The main entrance of Kébili Regional Hospital. Kébili is a city in the desert in the south of Tunisia. UNICEF and their partners have sent medical equipment there. - Paula González Gavilanes
Providing oxygen equipment to this hospital has been one of the most important interventions of UNICEF and its partners. Now the hospital is thriving, helping to fight long COVID, support mothers and babies, as well as a host of other health challenges. - Paula González Gavilanes
Children of all ages could benefit from the oxygen equipment. For example in the pediatric ward, the incubators where newborns are in are also connected to the hospital's oxygen system. - Paula González Gavilanes
During the worst moments of the Covid-19 pandemic, they had to use the pediatric ward for Covid patients. Ounallah, director of Maintenance in the hospital adds that “from 2020 to 2022 we had tons of problems. We are very far from the center of oxygen production. The oxygen was delivered to us in tanks from Tunis, 550 kilometers away!” - Paula González Gavilanes
Ounallah emphasizes that “oxygen equipment isn’t used just for COVID. We can use it for anyone who has respiratory problems, and any treatment requiring intensive care.” That can be the case of newborn babies. - Paula González Gavilanes
Amria Laghdaoui, a nurse in the children and mothers department at the basic health center in Kébili, has worked on the vaccination process hands-on, on a daily basis, since 2001. “We work on the health clinics here 6 days a week, where we commit Mondays and Wednesdays to vaccinations,” she said. - Paula González Gavilanes
“The cold chain comes down to vaccination. Kébili is a desert province and is more than 500 kilometers from the capital from where the vaccines are sent, the cold chain is vital to keeping a stable low temperature to keep vaccines from expiring.” Explains Dr. Doctor Ali Tabbal, the Basic Health Center’s director. - Paula González Gavilanes
To read the full story CLICK HERE - Paula González Gavilanes
To read the full story CLICK HERE

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