Tunisia Health Insurance

Tunisia, formally known as the Tunisian Republic, is the northernmost country in Africa and shares border with Libya to the south and Algeria to the west. The country is about 165,000 square kilometers and has a population of just more than 10.6 million people. Arabs account for about 98 percent of the population, with the remaining population being mostly Europeans, and the country’s official language is Arabic. Islam is the country’s official religion, yet Tunisia’s constitution emphasizes religious freedoms and the country is culturally accepting of other religions. Tunisia also has strong ties with the European Union - with France in particular - and the rest of the Arab world.

As one of the most successful countries in Africa, in 2009 the World Economic Forum ranked Tunisia as the most economically competitive country in Africa and the 40th in the world. The country has a primarily export-oriented economy, focusing on agriculture, mining, petroleum and manufacturing. Tourism is another large industry, as the northern region, with its temperate climate, along the Mediterranean Sea attracts many beach-goers.

Tunisia’s Health Care System and Medical Insurance

Overall, Tunisians are generally a healthy people and improvements to the healthcare system in the last two decades have helped make this possible. In 2009 total expenditure on health per capita was US$524, which was 6.2 percent of GDP. These numbers have increased sharply during the last 10 years as the county’s economy has improved. The infant mortality rate is less than 26 deaths per 1,000 live births. Life expectancy for men stands at 73 and for women it’s 77, both higher than the regional and global averages. While Tunisia’s males and females have higher life expectancy rates, Tunisians have higher smoking and obesity rates than the rest of the region. About 57 percent of men use tobacco products, compared to just 32 percent regionally. For Tunisian women, about 7 percent use tobacco products, while the regional average is 4.4 percent. Only 13.9 percent of men are obese, just .9 percentage points higher than the regional average. Yet, 33.4 percent of women are obese, while the regional average is 24.5 percent.

The country has a pretty well developed, modern healthcare system that meets the standards of many developed Western countries. The country’s healthcare system is divided between both public and private facilities, both of which are closely overseen by the Ministry of Health. The Ministry touts its primary concerns being the development of its physical and mental facilities and preventing illness among its citizens. Tunisia does offer free healthcare to those citizens in need. Typically the recipients of the free healthcare are only those living below the poverty line, the handicapped and orphans. Others with insufficient incomes and those not able to take advantage of social security systems may also receive free healthcare.

Tunisia Medical Insurance Options

Tunisia’s healthcare system and facilities are considerably developed compared to the rest of the region. Additionally, the country is able to provide access to care to many of its citizens. A World Bank survey from 2005 found that 80 percent of the population had access to care through either health insurance plans provided by employers or through medical assistance programs. The public sector has a thorough network of primary, secondary and tertiary facilities across the nation. The private sector, however, is somewhat more limited than the public healthcare offerings, but is growing. According to the World Bank Survey, the private sector employs nearly 50 percent of doctors and a majority of dentists and pharmacists. Yet most private facilities are located in urban areas, with almost half being located in the capital, Tunis.

While the country does provide some free healthcare to needs citizens, there is no free healthcare available to visitors. It is not uncommon for non-Tunisians to be expected to pay in full before receiving any treatment at a healthcare facility. Therefore, visitors to the country are encouraged to make sure that they have proper medical insurance coverage. Despite the onslaught of medical bills when first checking in to a facility, the Daily Mail reported that there is an increase of people going to Tunisia for affordable cosmetic surgery.

Tunisia Travel Insurance Concerns

Even though Tunisia is one of the most developed countries in Africa, visitors should still be wary when traveling to the country. As with traveling to any overseas destination, it is imperative to consult with your doctor or travel medicine specialist to make sure you have the proper immunizations and to be sure there are no health concerns before you travel. The CDC recommends that travelers be up-to-date on routine, Hepatitis A and B, Tetanus and Typhoid vaccinations. Insect-borne illnesses, including Dengue, are found in many regions in Africa, so travelers should protect themselves from insect bites. As the country is also a popular beach resort location, travelers should also be careful with sun exposure.

Travelers can feel safe when traveling to Tunisia. While the country is not exempt from terrorist threats made by Arab and Muslim groups against the West, the actual threat of terrorism is very low. The roads are fairly well developed, however, drivers often do not follow traffic laws or signals. Visitors are advised to use caution when on the roads and it is suggested not to drive at night. Pedestrians also need to use caution when walking near or across roads. Visitors should be cognizant of local laws, which are heavy influenced by Islam, and be respectful of Islamic traditions and customs. The dress in beach resort areas is much more European-influenced, but visitors to religious sites should be properly dressed as to not offend the local people.

Tunisia Expat Medical Insurance

If you are planning to travel or relocate to Tunisia, it’s important to make sure that you are properly insured. While the country’s healthcare system is one of the best in Africa and meets standards found in nearby Europe, seeking medical attention in Tunisia can be cost prohibitive for expats traveling or living there. No visitor or expat should go without international health insurance coverage. Let Expat Medical Insurance help find a plan that fits the needs of you, your family or your employees. Navigating through the ends and outs of health insurance coverage can be daunting, but our team of representatives is available day and night to help get you started on creating an international health insurance plan catered specifically to your needs. So contact Expat Medical Insurance today to get started.