Medical Tourism in Tunisia

The Republic of Tunisia is the northmost African country and is popular for its high standard of healthcare services. The affordable medical facilities have made it a reliable medical tourism destination. The country's healthcare is one of the most advanced in Africa and has a level of quality that is on par with many European nations. The country has a global ranking of 38 out of 47 destinations in the world medical tourism index.

As per the North Africa health expo report, nearly 500,000 foreign patients look for inpatient care at hospitals and clinics in Tunisia and about 2-2.5million foreigners look for outpatient care. According to The International Medical Tourism Journal, Tunisia's medical industry has become the country’s second-highest foreign currency earner.

The number of medical tourists visiting Tunisia is increasing every year and the majority come from Libya because of better healthcare facilities. As medical tourism is increasing in the country, the government is improving the facilities for tourists for their comfortable stay. 

The cost of living in Tunisia is low. The government offers tax sops to promote medical tourism business is favoring the inflow of foreign medical travelers. 

Major Treatments in Tunisia

• Cosmetic Surgery

• Dental Treatment

• Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery

• Orthopedic and Spine Surgery

• Opthalmology

• Organ and Tissue Transplantation, etc.

Patients can get cost-effective treatment in the country with the same healthcare standards as in the USA, UK, and Europe. The country has an excellent reputation for cosmetic surgery and medical tourists can find public and private healthcare easily along with competitive pricing of cosmetic treatments. Tunisia is believed to offer 40-50% cheaper cosmetic treatments compared to Europe, the UK, and the USA.

The facelift surgery in the USA costs around 8,000-9,000 USD while the same surgery in Tunisia costs around 3,000-35,00 USD only. The medical practices in Tunisia are equivalent to European standards. These cost-effective treatments attract many patients to Tunisia from around the world. Different patient-friendly policies also make Tunisia a favored destination for cosmetic surgeries.

Why Tunisia is Popular for Medical Tourism?

Tunisia has charmed the majority of medical tourists worldwide because it provides affordable medical services without compromising the quality. There are numerous reasons why it is a popular medical destination. Some of them are mentioned below:

• Quality of Healthcare: The Tunisia Government invests heavily to maintain the medical facility quality standards for international patients. Every type of facility is available in the hospitals to make the patient’s stay as comfortable as possible. Advanced technology procedures are performed by highly experienced medical professionals. The Healthcare City in Tunisia Economic City on the east coast is now under construction that will house state-of-the-art hospitals, medical colleges, nursing clinics, and more. 

• Hospitals: The healthcare system in Tunisia consists of the public and private sectors. Well-developed hospitals are located in the country that offers the latest technologies and equipment for the treatment. These hospitals provide cost-effective medical treatments and the physicians are trained in Europe and America to provide the highest standards to their patients. Currently, Tunisia has 80 private clinics with an accommodation capacity of 2500 beds.

• Cost-Effective Medical Treatments: Tunisia offers 40-50% cheaper medical treatments especially cosmetic surgeries compared to Europe. Medical tourists will get reasonable accommodation, a cheaper workforce, and very favorable currency exchange rates which they can’t find in European countries. Affordable facilities don’t mean that the medical treatments are not up to the mark because Tunisia's healthcare is one of the best healthcare in Africa that matches European standards. Patients can easily arrange a medical trip to Tunisia without burning a hole in their pocket.

• Appealing Tourist Places: Tunisia has a bucket full of attractive tourist places. Medical tourists can visit different places in the country to rejuvenate them after their treatments. There are numerous places such as El Djem Amphitheater, The National Bardo Museum, Sidi Bou Said, Grand Erg Oriental, Sousse Medina, and many more. From stunning beaches to monuments, Tunisia has everything for a perfect holiday without spending much. 

• Tasty Cuisine with Amazing Seafood: If you are a seafood lover, Tunisia is the perfect destination. They offer the best shrimp and the local specialty is grilled fish that they call “poisson complet”. The country also offers a variety of tastes that combine elements of French, Turkish, and Mediterranean cuisines. Since it is a Muslim country, they don’t serve pork but you will get a variety of mouth-watering mutton. You will find fruit, vegetables, and olives in almost every meal. Authentic Tunisian cuisines can be found in traditional restaurants.

• Etiquette: Tunisians often shake hands at the start and end of a conversation because it is their etiquette. You might get surprised because many of them initiate a conversation with a handshake instinctively without saying a word. Many cafes in the country are only for men and women are strictly prohibited to enter there. It is difficult to understand this custom but you have to respect the culture of the country. The locals are very friendly and you can easily make friends.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Heading to Tunisia

• Keep Change Handy: When you visit Tunisia, keep a bit of cash handy for small shops, towns, or villages. Though credit cards are accepted in the country but mostly in larger towns and cities. So to avoid any hassle, keep some change with you.

• Take Appropriate Pictures: Tunisia is a beautiful country and you want to click everything there but you have to be careful. There are many things in the country that are prohibited from photographing such as military establishments, political buildings, and perhaps some demonstrations. Also, you can’t operate a drone in Tunisia if you don’t have a license.

• Follow the Local Laws and Customs: Tunisia is an Islamic country so be careful not to offend their culture. The dress code is relaxed in bigger cities but modesty is vital in smaller towns and mosques. Homosexuality is still a crime in the country so if you are from the LGBT community, you need to be extra careful. Though it’s a Muslim country, alcohol is available in certain shops and restaurants. 

• Safety: Due to terrorism and associated dangers, the US Department of State recommends avoiding Sidi Bou Zid, Tunisia’s southeastern border with Libya, the Chaambi Mountain National Park, “Jendouba south of Ain Drahem, and west of RN15, El Kef, and Kasserine” next to the border with Algeria. If you are traveling around Tunix and Sfax, keep a copy of your passport with you and leave your original passport securely in your hotel room.

Entry Restrictions for Tunisia

Passport holders from many countries need a Tunisian tourist visa to visit the country. Their passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in the country. Citizens of Germany and Canada can stay for up to 4 months, and Bulgarians can enjoy 2 months visa-free in the country. 

A residence permit is needed for stays longer than 90 days and this permit can be obtained from the central police station of the district of the residence.  

Travelers arriving in Tunisia must declare foreign currency over the equivalent value of 5,000 Tunisian dinars. 

Best Hospitals in Tunisia

1. Clinique Taoufik, Tunis: It is a pioneer hospital in Africa in Cardiac Surgery, Interventional Cardiology, Orthopaedics, Gynaecology, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Radiotherapy, and Chemotherapy. The hospital is accreditated by ISO 9001 version 2015 certification.

2. Clinique Montplaisir, Tunisia: The best and most well-known hospital for cosmetic surgeries that include major surgeries such as breast surgeries, silhouette surgeries, intimate surgeries, and face surgeries.

3. Clinique Carthagene, Tunis: A multidisciplinary clinic that has an exclusive Reception Box at the Tunis Carthage Airport where patients are welcome with the best reception and provides a hassle-free airport shuttle to the Clinic 24x7 every day.

4. Clinique El Amen, La Marsa: This clinic offers a wide range of specialties such as General Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, ENT Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Surgery, Gynaecological Surgery, and Urologic Surgery.

5. El Manar Clinic, Tunis: The hospital is ISO 9001 certified and has more than 200 medical specialists that provide high-quality medical treatments.

Best Doctors in Tunisia

1. Dr. Mongi Miladi: A leading Orthopedic and Joint Replacement Surgeon with more than 44 years of experience.

2. Dr. Moncef Guiga: He is a well-known Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon with more than 30 years of experience in his field.

3. Dr. Hassen Ben Jemaa: A renowned Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgeon practicing for more than 25 years.

4. Dr. Jabbes Hatem: He is a well-recognized General Surgeon having more than 28 years of experience.

5. Dr. Chennoufi Mehdi: A renowned Plastic Surgeon with 25+ years of experience who specializes in Breast reduction, Breast augmentation, Hand surgery, etc.

Conclusion

Tunisia is slowly becoming the medical tourism hub because of high-quality care and affordable services. The country is an established destination for Europeans seeking cosmetic surgery, and other procedures such as gastric bypass are growing in popularity. In the future, Tunisia will be one of the most preferred medical tourism destinations.