Minister of Health Meets with Oxford University and Besrour Foundation to Strengthen Family Medicine and Primary Healthcare
The Minister of Health, Dr. Mustapha Ferjani, chaired a working meeting on Friday, January 23, 2026, with the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mondher Belaid, bringing together the Ministry of Health, Oxford University, and the Besrour Foundation for charitable works. The goal was to reinforce family medicine and primary healthcare. The Oxford delegation was led by Professor Aziz Sheikh, and Sadok Besrour, as well as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Dr. Iheb Labbene, also participated in the discussions.
According to a statement, the participants emphasized the importance of primary care, considered a crucial lever in the healthcare system. Their role is central in prevention, monitoring of chronic diseases, maternal and child health, as well as in crisis management.
The meeting resulted in several decisions:
- A Besrour Chair will be established at the Faculty of Medicine of Tunis.
- A cooperation program between Oxford University, the Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, and the Besrour Foundation will be launched.
- Training workshops will be organized, with a focus on trainer training and applied research, to improve health services in the regions. The partners also committed to defining a precise roadmap and quickly preparing a draft agreement protocol.
In conclusion, the delegation visited the Ministry of Health's digital hospital to learn about the progress of telemedicine projects aimed at bringing healthcare services closer to citizens.
