The World Health Organization has mobilized funds from the Government of Kuwait to support the Ministry of Health of Tunisia in terms of technical expertise and equipment.
The US$ 5 million received will strengthen health structures in Tunisia, in particular, the National Observatory for New and Emerging Diseases (ONMNE), the Directorate of Basic Health Care (DSSB), SHOCROOM and the unit biological laboratories (ULB).
With the funds, the WHO office in Tunisia also financed the development and acquisition of personal protective equipment for health professionals, such as protective masks, remote thermometers, surveillance monitors.
Activities to modernize laboratories with COVID-19 diagnostic capabilities have been carried out; laboratory equipment, such as sample kits, diagnostic kits, and test extractors have been procured, and equipment for cold chain and waste management has been purchased. The WHO office supported the Biological Laboratories Unit (ULB) in the recruitment of biologists and in capacity building.
In collaboration with UNOPS, it also supported the accommodation of mild COVID-19 patients in hotel facilities with Kuwait’s financial contribution.
Finally, Kuwaiti funds have made it possible to support the implementation of sero-epidemiological surveys to better understand the epidemic situation in Tunisia.
WHO continues to mobilize resources to support health actors in the country in their response to COVID-19.