Tunisian coaches, accompanied by Carl-Ardy Dubois, Dean of ESPUM, Karina Dubois-Nguyen, Director of IHU/USI, and Roxane Borgès Da Silva, Scientific Manager of the project and Director of the Department of Health Management, Evaluation, and Policy (DGEPS).

The PCO-PNS project started in May 2023. It aimed to support the operationalization of the National Health Policy (PNS) in alignment with Tunisia’s 2030 vision, focused on achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The project was implemented by the Ministry of Health with support from the World Health Organization in Tunisia, in collaboration with the IHU/USI and the Department of Health Management, Evaluation, and Policy (DGEPS) of the School of Public Health at the Université de Montreal (ESPUM).

Throughout the PCO-PNS, consisting of five workshops, around about one hundred officials and managers from various levels of the Tunisian health system were able to strengthen their skills in health project management and leadership through hybrid training and Canadian-Tunisian mentorship. Together, they co-developed projects related to one of the seven pillars of the PNS. ESPUM professors facilitated these workshops and worked alongside Tunisian coaches to apply the tools and concepts covered through the development of PNS operationalization projects.

Now we must work so that each person becomes a promoter of the training in their region. Tayeb Hassen, Ben Guerdane Regional Hospital.

During the ceremony, Carl-Ardy Dubois, Dean of ESPUM, expressed his admiration for the Tunisian skills and experiences, as well as his desire to continue coordinating and working together to implement these projects by providing the necessary support and assistance. Katherine Michaluk, who was involved in this project as part of her internship in the Master of Public Health program at ESPUM, then presented a toolkit of best practices in health management. The open-access resource kit will serve as references for training and will help replicate and expand training to new groups of managers. At the end of the ceremony, a continuing education certificate was presented to the participants.

I am very proud of the work accomplished this year by the trainers, Tunisian coaches, and participants. I sincerely thank the Quebec colleagues and Tunisian coaches who contributed to the success of this training. I warmly congratulate all the participants who managed to achieve all the objectives within the deadlines.” Roxane Borgès Da Silva, Scientific Manager of the project and Director of DGEPS.

IHU/USI and the implementation partners congratulate the Tunisian participants and coaches for their commitment and this excellent example of co-constructing knowledge. This project serves as a model for continuing education programs and is a lever for transforming health management practices tailored to the Tunisian health system. Professionals at all levels of the health pyramid will be better equipped to support the government in implementing the PNS, which aims to strengthen citizens’ rights and increase access to quality health services, ultimately working toward a fairer and more inclusive health system.

The WHO is ready to continue supporting the implementation of the PNS in Tunisia. Henrik Axelson, Health Systems Advisor, WHO Tunisia.

Photo of participants and partners at the closing workshop of the PCO-PNS Project.