Tunisia: Uproar in Tunisia after doctor dies in elevator accident in Jendouba hospital

Posted On 4 December 2020

Number of times this article was read : 125

Hundreds of medics protested in Tunisia on Friday after a young doctor died in a hospital elevator accident in the country’s northwest. Badreddedine Aloui, 27, plunged to his death Thursday down an elevator shaft after the lift doors opened but with no elevator in place, witnesses interviewed by local media said. The elevator, in a hospital in the marginalised Jendouba region, had allegedly remained in service despite a long-reported fault. Hundreds of doctors, health workers and medical students gathered in front of the health ministry in the capital Tunis on Friday, demanding the health minister and other officials be sacked, an AFP correspondent reported. The hospital has been visited by two government ministers over the past months, including Health Minister Faouzi Mehdi in October.

“A young doctor has died as a result of this negligence,” said Zied Bouguerra, a member of the Tunisian Organisation of Young Doctors. A protest was also held in the eastern port city of Sfax. Local media reported that Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi ordered a state funeral, with the surgeon to be buried Friday in his native Kasserine, in western Tunisia.

Tunisians have also taken to social media to denounce what they say are dysfunctional public services, particularly in the health sector, in the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Tunisia had managed to keep its outbreak largely contained until the end of June but cases have soared in recent months.

The North African country has officially registered over 3,300 deaths and is nearing 100,000 infections. Hospitals with limited resources and management problems have been struggling to cope. The accident came at a time when the country’s health budget is currently before parliament.

AFP
Other Articles in this Week's Issue<< Morocco says it arrested three men in Tetouan allegedly linked to ISSahel: New terror attack in La Tapoa, Niger >>
The North Africa Journal's WhatsApp Group
.

Most Recent Stories from the Region

Book: Lafarge Group and the Islamic State

Book: Lafarge Group and the Islamic State

Lafarge’s indictment for financing terrorism reveals corporate entanglements with ISIS to maintain operations in Syria. In Personne morale, Justine Augier exposes how multinationals like Lafarge navigate ethics and profit in conflict zones, raising questions on global accountability.

Written by The North Africa Journal

The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This