Tunisia has officially lifted the decade-long freeze on the creation of private paramedical training institutions, a move aimed at strengthening the health sector and promoting the country’s medical expertise abroad.
The decision was taken during a restricted ministerial council meeting on Wednesday, chaired by Sarra Zafrani Zenzri.
Since 2011, the establishment of new private paramedical schools had been suspended, following government decrees that froze licensing in the sector.
The council’s latest resolution reverses those measures, allowing new institutions to emerge under stricter regulatory standards.
The reform is intended to respond to the growing demand for trained paramedical professionals and to address skill shortages within Tunisia’s healthcare system.
The government outlined rigorous requirements for the new schools.
Admission will be selective, based on baccalaureate results, psychometric testing, and program-specific criteria. Curricula are expected to incorporate modern teaching methods, including simulation, digital technologies, and foreign language training.
Schools must also provide sufficient practical internships and employ qualified instructors. In addition, a national map of paramedical specialties will be developed to ensure balanced distribution of training programs and avoid oversupply in certain areas.
Monitoring and enforcement measures have also been reinforced. Each private institution must receive official authorization for every specialty it offers, with sanctions in place for non-compliance.
The Ministry of Higher Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, will conduct regular inspections, supported by a joint technical committee tasked with reviewing program specifications and tracking sector developments.
The head of government emphasized the strategic importance of paramedical training, highlighting the international success of Tunisian graduates. “Global demand for these skills is growing strongly,” she noted, citing WHO statistics, and stressed that the reform will help address national shortages, particularly in nursing, while enhancing the international reputation of Tunisian expertise.
This policy shift marks a significant step in modernizing Tunisia’s healthcare education system. By opening the door to private paramedical schools under controlled and high-quality standards, the government aims to strengthen the health workforce, improve service delivery, and position Tunisia as a hub for internationally recognized medical training.
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