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| ‘Catastrophic’: Tunisia’s health system has ‘collapsed’ amid Covid-19 outbreak, bed, and oxygen shortages – ministry | ‘Catastrophic’: Tunisia’s health system has ‘collapsed’ amid Covid-19 outbreak, bed, and oxygen shortages – ministry |
| (about 2 months later) | |
| The Tunisian health system has collapsed under the pressure of Covid-19, the country’s health ministry has said, with overwhelmed hospitals struggling to provide care amid a chronic shortage of beds and oxygen. | The Tunisian health system has collapsed under the pressure of Covid-19, the country’s health ministry has said, with overwhelmed hospitals struggling to provide care amid a chronic shortage of beds and oxygen. |
| On Wednesday, the North African country posted a national record of 9,823 new infections and 134 deaths. | On Wednesday, the North African country posted a national record of 9,823 new infections and 134 deaths. |
| “The current health situation is catastrophic,” ministry spokesperson Nisaf Ben Alaya said during an interview with local radio on Thursday. | “The current health situation is catastrophic,” ministry spokesperson Nisaf Ben Alaya said during an interview with local radio on Thursday. |
| “The number of cases has risen dramatically. Unfortunately, the health system has collapsed,” she added. | “The number of cases has risen dramatically. Unfortunately, the health system has collapsed,” she added. |
| “We are struggling to provide oxygen ... doctors are suffering from unprecedented fatigue.” | “We are struggling to provide oxygen ... doctors are suffering from unprecedented fatigue.” |
| She added that the “boat [was] sinking” and the situation would get worse if the response to the crisis was not united. | She added that the “boat [was] sinking” and the situation would get worse if the response to the crisis was not united. |
| According to local reports, the bodies of some Covid-19 victims have been left in situ next to other patients for up to 24 hours due to hospital staff shortages. | According to local reports, the bodies of some Covid-19 victims have been left in situ next to other patients for up to 24 hours due to hospital staff shortages. |
| Six Tunisian regions have been on full lockdown since June 20, while the capital Tunis was placed under partial lockdown last week. | Six Tunisian regions have been on full lockdown since June 20, while the capital Tunis was placed under partial lockdown last week. |
| The government said on Thursday that Qatar had donated a field hospital with 200 beds and medical supplies in a bid to alleviate the current crisis. | The government said on Thursday that Qatar had donated a field hospital with 200 beds and medical supplies in a bid to alleviate the current crisis. |
| The Tunisian cabinet also approved a new draft law on health emergencies during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, who himself tested positive for Covid-19 just two weeks ago. | The Tunisian cabinet also approved a new draft law on health emergencies during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, who himself tested positive for Covid-19 just two weeks ago. |
| The bill, due to be put before lawmakers on Thursday, gives the government greater powers and more flexibility in its pandemic-related procurement. | The bill, due to be put before lawmakers on Thursday, gives the government greater powers and more flexibility in its pandemic-related procurement. |
| Only 4% of Tunisia’s population is fully vaccinated against Covid-19, but in a statement, Mechichi said the government was doing everything materially possible to roll out more jabs. | Only 4% of Tunisia’s population is fully vaccinated against Covid-19, but in a statement, Mechichi said the government was doing everything materially possible to roll out more jabs. |
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