Tunisia sacks health minister admits Covid-19 Surge

July 22, 2021July 22, 2021 by Babry Gernah

Tunisia is currently experiencing a third wave of the covid-19 pandemic. Thousands of Tunisians rush to be vaccinated, but there is been a slow pace in the vaccine campaign. Consequently, the Tunisian prime minister has sacked Health Minister Faouzi Mehdi.

In a statement released by the government, the minister of social affairs will serve as an acting minister of health.

Tunisian President Kais Saied said on Wednesday that the military health department will take over management of the health crisis in the country . Saied’s commented this, after Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi had sacked Health Minister Faouzi Mehdi, amid an of exchange of accusations over performance in the fight against the pandemic and the slow pace of vaccination.

Mechichi accused Mehdi, who is close to Saied, of making “criminal” decisions that led to overcrowding and chaos at vaccination centers.

But Saied, who is at odds with Mechichi over their respective powers and political alliances, said that violence, chaos and overcrowding in vaccination centers in Tuesday was orchestrated by people within the political system.

“The Military Health Department will take over the management of the health crisis in the country.”, he said in comments to Saudi-owned broadcaster Al Arabiya during a visit to a vaccination center in Tunis.