Over 9,000 Patients Registered in Tunisia's National Health Identity Project
More than 9,000 patients have already been registered in just a few weeks as part of the deployment of the National Health Identity (NHI) in Tunisia. This figure marks a first operational step and also reflects a growing interest among Tunisians in this reform, which is set to transform the management of medical data in healthcare facilities permanently.
Project Overview
The project, led by the Ministry of Health, aims to assign a unique digital identity to each patient. In the long term, this number will enable the centralization and verification of medical information, while reducing errors related to the multiplicity of files opened in different hospitals. A pilot phase will soon be launched at the La Rabta University Hospital, followed by a gradual rollout to all public hospital structures. The project is supervised by a commission comprising doctors, administrators, ministry technicians, and artificial intelligence specialists.
Reliable Database thanks to AI
Artificial intelligence plays a crucial role in this transformation, not to replace healthcare professionals, but to enhance the quality of data. It will be used to automatically identify duplicate files, detect inconsistencies between different databases, and improve the reliability of information before integrating it into the national system.
Importance of Reliable Data
This step is essential, as a reliable database is the foundation of any digital health strategy. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), high-quality and interoperable health data enables improved continuity of care, optimized hospital resource planning, strengthened epidemiological surveillance, and the development of digital innovations that benefit patients.
Benefits of the Project
Beyond administrative gains, this modernization could also reduce duplicate medical examinations, accelerate patient care, and provide doctors with a more comprehensive view of each person's medical history.
International Trend
With this project, Tunisia is joining an international movement to modernize healthcare systems. In France, the National Health Identity (NHI) has been used mandatorily since 2021, allowing for the unique identification of each patient to secure the sharing of medical information between healthcare professionals and limit identification errors.
Estonia's Example
Estonia, often considered one of the most advanced countries in digital health, also relies on a national digital identity that provides access to a shared electronic medical record, dematerialized prescriptions, and numerous online health services. This organization has significantly simplified patient procedures and strengthened the efficiency of the healthcare system.
