Ensure healthy lives
and promote well-being for all at all ages
Transforming our relationship with nature is key to a sustainable future
Pr.Chokri Hammouda, UTM,SDG 3 Ambassador
UTM’s Strategy and Policies to Promote SDG 3
UTM’s Health Education and Research Network
Université Tunis El Manar (UTM) brings together six higher education institutions and specialized structures dedicated to teaching and research in various health sectors. These include:
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis
- Institut Pasteur of Tunis
- Higher Institute of Applied Biological Sciences of Tunis
- Higher Institute of Nursing Sciences of Tunis
- Higher Institute of Medical Technologies of Tunis
- Higher School of Health Sciences and Techniques of Tunis
In addition, four university hospitals are affiliated with UTM, serving as essential pillars for clinical training, medical research, and healthcare service delivery:
- Charles Nicolle Hospital
- Al Rabta Hospital
- Béchir-Hamza Children’s Hospital
- Military Hospital of Tunis
Through this extensive academic and hospital network, UTM strengthens its leadership in medical education and research, ensuring excellence in health sciences and contributing to the improvement of Tunisia’s healthcare system.
Major Actions Supporting Health and Well-beingMajor Actions Supporting Health and Well-being
UTM Barrier-free University
The University of Tunis El Manar is the only Tunisian university to
offer two academic training courses in Physiotherapy for the visually
impaired and blind, taught at the Higher School of Health Sciences and
Techniques of Tunis, as well as sign language training at the Higher
Institut of Human Sciences of Tunis.
For an inclusive university, and to raise awareness among all those
involved of the need to take action on behalf of the beneficiaries of the
program, a “UTM Barrier-Free University” day was held on Thursday
May 26, 2022 at the Tunis Faculty of Medicine.
Hospital Infection Prevention Programs: La Rabta and Charles Nicolle hospitals
With the aim of establishing a plan to monitor healthcare-associated infections and prevent their health and financial impact, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), intends to conduct a survey of healthcare-associated infections in hospitals.
To this end, a training course was organized for staff at La Rabta and Charles Nicolle hospitals (UTM), from May 23 to 25, 2022. It was given by Dr Sara Tolba and Dr Engy Hamed, experts from the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean.
Tobacco-Free Hospital Initiative: Béshir-Hamza Children's Hospital
March 31, 2022 – World Hearing Day: The Ichara Association, in collaboration with the Laboratoire de Génomique Biomédicale et Oncogénétique, UNISS, and ENT clinicians, organized a hearing health awareness day for staff and researchers at the Institut Pasteur de Tunis. Visits included ENT check-ups, audiologist hearing measurements, and speech therapy consultations.
- Deafness screening at Rabta University Hospital on June 10, 2023, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Diabetes screening for on-call staff at Charles Nicolle Hospital, 04–27/12/2023
- Left ventricular assistance device transplant at Rabta University Hospital for acute heart failure
Support for Neonatal Health (Canada–WHO project)
With the support of the Government of Canada, WHO is working to strengthen neonatal health care in Tunisia as part of its ongoing work in the field of reproductive health. This essential support of 500,000 Canadian dollars will boost ongoing efforts to build the capacity of health workers using specialized medical equipment for neonatal services. It will also support neonatal healthcare services in Tunisia’s maternity and neonatal center, the neonatal unit at Charles Nicolle Hospital (UTM), and the neonatology unit at Hédi Chaker Hospital in Sfax.
Support for the maternity and neonatal center includes:
- An ambulance equipped for newborn care
- 12 resuscitation incubators
- Four neonatal ventilators
- Six syringe pumping stations
- Four surveillance monitors
mRNA Vaccine Technology Transfer
Tunisia is one of six African countries (Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia) selected to receive technology transfer for the production of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, as part of a World Health Organization (WHO) initiative.
In this connection, a team of WHO experts visited Tunisia from August 23 to 25, 2022 to meet with the project’s various stakeholders, namely:
- Institut Pasteur of Tunis (UTM)
- The national drug regulatory authority
- The national drug control laboratory
- The pharmaceutical inspectorate
- The Sidi Thabet technology park
- Other departments of the Ministry of Health
By improving access to quality medical products, local production can lead to global health coverage and help meet the health challenges of the sustainable development goals.
Hearing Health Awareness Day
(Thursday, MARCH 31, 2022)
As part of World Hearing Day, the Ichara Association, in collaboration with the Laboratoire de Génomique Biomédicale et Oncogénétique, the Association Amicale des Syndicats des Surveillants de la Santé Publique, the Specialized Unit “Communication, Science et Société UNISS”, and other ENT clinicians and para-clinicians in audiology and speech therapy, organized a hearing health awareness day for staff and researchers at the Institut Pasteur de Tunis.
Transforming our relationship with nature is key to a sustainable future.
In this context, a visit to the ENT specialist for an ear check-up was organized, followed by a visit to the audiologist for hearing measurements, and a consultation with the speech therapist.
- The Rabta University Hospital organized a deafness screening day on Saturday, June 10, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Diabetes screening for afternoon and night on-call staff at Charles Nicolle Hospital, from 04/12/2023 to 27/12/2023
- A medical team from the Cardiovascular Diseases Unit at Rabta University Hospital recently performed a left ventricular assistance device transplant operation on a patient suffering from acute heart failure.
Awards and Recognition
Professor Abdellatif Chabbou, Professor in the Department of Respiratory Diseases at the Faculty of Medicine, Tunis El-Manar University, received a prestigious award from the World Health Organization (WHO) for his outstanding contributions to tobacco control and for promoting the success of World No Tobacco Day and its selected theme.
This award reflects WHO’s recognition of Professor Chabbou’s dedication, time, and efforts in tobacco control advocacy and public health campaigning.
In 2022, among the seven prizes awarded on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, one was granted to Professor Chabbou, who also serves as Secretary General of the Ligue nationale de lutte contre la tuberculose et les maladies respiratoires (Tunisia).
Rym Kefi, senior lecturer at the Laboratoire de Génomique Biomédicale et Oncogénétique, Pasteur Institute of Tunisia (UTM), won the “Sadok Besrour” 2022 Prize.
On Saturday, November 13, 2022, she was awarded this prestigious prize for excellence in research.
The prize, awarded by the Université de Montréal, the Sadok Besrour Foundation, and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, recognizes outstanding achievements in medicine and the health sciences.
It is awarded annually to candidates or teams who have distinguished themselves through their contributions in these fields in Tunisia.
Dr. Erij Messadi, researcher at the Biomolecules, Venoms and Theranostics Applications Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Tunisia (UTM), won the 1st Prize in the Institutional Research Category of the 1st World Cup of Invention and Scientific Research – Tunisia 2022, Expo TICAD Innovation.
She was recognized for her innovative invention entitled: “Lebecetin, a venom-derived C-type lectin, as a treatment of ocular neovascularization”.
Pr. Ridha Barbouche, Head of the Transmission, Control and Immunopathology of Infections Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Tunisia (UTM), has been appointed as the EMRO Region (Eastern Mediterranean) representative and a member of the Steering Committee of the WHO Global NITAGs Network (GNN).
He also serves as an observer and GNN representative on the WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE), the highest advisory authority on immunization.
Dr. Emna Fehri, post-doctoral researcher at the Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology and the Laboratory of Human and Experimental Pathological Anatomy, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, has been officially named a member of the prestigious American society “SIGMA Xi”.
Founded in 1886, SIGMA Xi is the oldest international multidisciplinary scientific association. Dr. Fehri’s research focuses on the identification of molecular and immunohistochemical markers involved in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and progression.
Dr. Lilia Romdhane, lecturer at the Faculty of Sciences in Bizerte and researcher at the Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics Laboratory, Institut Pasteur in Tunis, was honored with the prestigious Sadok Besrour Prize for Excellence in Medicine and Health Sciences 2023.
This distinction, awarded by the Sadok Besrour Foundation, the Université de Montréal, and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, recognizes excellence and innovation in research development and knowledge transfer.
The award also aims to stimulate excellence and innovation in the training of students in medicine and the health sciences.
Courses, Workshops and events dedicated to researchers and health staff in the different sectors of scientific research in health:
Introduction to Bioinformatics in Arab Education Systems
Course Dates: November 21–22, 2022
Organized by: Pasteur Institute of Tunisia, Arab-German Young Academy, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte
WHO/TDR Massive Open Online Course on Implementation Research (Arabic Session)
Organized by: Pasteur Institute of Tunisia (UTM) and the TDR-supported Regional Training Centre for WHO-EMR
A session in Arabic of the WHO/TDR MOOC on Implementation Research (IR) was organized for countries from the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). This free, step-by-step online training targets public health researchers, decision-makers, disease control programme managers, and academics. It focuses on how to design and demonstrate robust IR projects to improve the control of infectious diseases of poverty and achieve better health outcomes.
Practical Training Workshop in Allergology: Interactive Clinical Cases
Date: May 2022
Organized by: Pasteur Institute of Tunisia (UTM) in collaboration with Stallergenes-Greer Laboratories.
Objective: Strengthen links in the care chain for allergy sufferers through hands-on clinical case discussions.
Format: Practical workshop with real case simulations and interactive discussions.
Workshop Seminar of the Tunisian Society of Clinical Biology
Focus: Updates and applied practices in clinical biology.
Objective: Enhance diagnostic and analytical skills of clinical biology professionals.
Training on the Fundamentals of Bioethics and Submission Preparation to Biomedical Ethics Committee
Organized by: The Ethics Committee of the Pasteur Institute of Tunisia.
Objective:
- Introduce fundamental principles of bioethics.
- Guide participants in preparing submissions to the Biomedical Ethics Committee.
Audience: Researchers and clinical investigators.
WHO/TDR Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Implementation Research – Arabic Session
Organized by: Pasteur Institute of Tunisia (UTM) & the TDR-supported Regional Training Centre for WHO-EMR.
Objective: Provide free, step-by-step training for public health researchers, program managers, academics, and decision-makers on how to design and conduct Implementation Research (IR) to improve control of infectious diseases of poverty.
Outcome: Participants learned to design and demonstrate robust IR projects to improve health outcomes in WHO EMR countries.
Conference: Strategies for Eliminating Canine Rabies
Date: September 28, 2022
Organized by: Institut Pasteur de Tunis (UTM) – to mark World Rabies Day.
Speaker: Dr. Florence CLIQUET, international expert and member of the ANSES Rabies and Wildlife Laboratory.
Objective:
- Discuss global and regional strategies for eradicating canine rabies through vaccination, surveillance, and public awareness initiatives.
Conference: Genomic Surveillance and Characterization of Microbial Threats Facilitates Early Detection and Containment of Disease Outbreaks in West Africa
Date: November 20, 2023
Organized by: Institut Pasteur de Tunis.
Speaker: Prof. Christian T. Happi, Director of the African Centre of Excellence for Infectious Disease Genomics.
Focus:
- Exploration of genomic surveillance technologies and their impact on early detection and control of infectious disease outbreaks in the West African region.
Conference: How Do CD8+ T-Cells Contribute to Protection in Human Tuberculosis?
Date: November 16, 2023
Location: Institut Pasteur de Tunis.
Speaker: Prof. Steffen Stenger, Director of the Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Ulm University Hospital, Germany.
Objective:
- Understand the immunological role of CD8+ T-cells in host defense mechanisms against tuberculosis.
Lecture: Leishmaniasis – Field-to-Lab & Lab-to-Field
Date: December 15, 2023
Speaker: Dr. Hirotomo Kato, Division of Medical Zoology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University, Japan.
Content:
- Presentation on translational research linking field observations to laboratory analysis for improved understanding and control of Leishmaniasis in endemic regions.
Seminar: AIDS and COVID-19 – A Syndemic in Africa
Date: August 2022
Organized by: Pasteur Institute of Tunisia (UTM)
Speakers:
- Prof. Quarraisha Abdool Karim
- Prof. Salim S. Abdool Karim (CAPRISA, Durban & Columbia University, New York)
Overview: This seminar explored the interaction between AIDS and COVID-19 as overlapping epidemics in Africa, addressing challenges and joint strategies for prevention and treatment.
Seminar Series 2022–2023 – Pasteur Institute of Tunisia
A multidisciplinary series of seminars presenting advanced research topics, including:
- Pharmacological properties of dromaserpine, an antihemistatic serpin derived from tick salivary glands.
- Molecular pathology and oncogenetics for cancer management in Tunisia.
- Genetic diversity of Mycoplasma Gallisepticum isolates and their antibioresistance.
- Immune response in neuro-immunological diseases (Multiple Sclerosis, Neuro-Behçet).
- Artificial intelligence for therapeutic molecule discovery (COVID-19 case study).
- Modified cells in sickle cell disease: therapeutic perspectives.
- Toxoplasmosis: innovative immunodiagnostic and therapeutic tools.
- Scorpion venom peptides (AATS-1) and glioblastoma research.
- Mathematical modeling in biology: sexual allocation, cancer, and COVID-19.
- Genetic variability and molecular monitoring of SARS-CoV-2.
- Precision medicine in Tunisia: opportunities and obstacles.
- Immune response and vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 variants.
- Targeting α-synuclein aggregation for Parkinson’s disease treatment.
- Constitutional medullary aplasia: genetic insights.
- Diagnosis and molecular monitoring of leukemias.
- Leishmania eukaryotic initiation factor (LeIF) as an immunomodulator.
- Brucellosis as a re-emerging health risk.
- Genomic and metagenomic analysis of microorganism diversity.
- Active biomolecules from snake venom as therapeutic alternatives.
- Risk analysis of emerging zoonotic diseases linked to climate change.
Webinar: Therapeutic Updates for Infantile Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Date: February 2022
Occasion: 15th International Day of Rare Diseases
Organized by: SMA Tunisia Association in collaboration with:
- Tunisian Association of Child and Adolescent Neurology (ATNEA)
- Association La Recherche en Action (REACT)
- Institut National Mongi Ben Hmida de Neurologie
- ISBST and Tunivision Club
Speaker: Dr. Boespflug Tanguy (Professor of Neuropediatrics & Director of I-Motion)
Highlights: Presentation on recent advances in the treatment of infantile spinal muscular atrophy, followed by an interactive discussion with SMA Tunisia representatives.
Seminar: Workshop of the Tunisian Society of Clinical Biology
Objective: Update and reinforce professional skills in applied clinical biology, with an emphasis on diagnostic accuracy and emerging laboratory techniques.
Webinar: Bacterial Infections
Date: October 2023
Organized by: Faculty of Medicine of Tunis
Focus: Latest updates in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of bacterial infections in clinical settings.
World No-Tobacco Day & Hearing Health Awareness
Organized by: University of Tunis El Manar
Focus: Promoting tobacco-free initiatives in hospitals and raising awareness about hearing health.
World Diabetes Day
Date: 14 November 2023
Organized by: Laboratory of Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics (LR16IPT05), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, in partnership with:
- Association des Jeunes Chercheurs (AJC)
- Unité Spécialisée Communication Science et Société (UNISS)
Focus: Scientific morning addressing diabetes research, prevention, and public awareness.
Pink October – Breast Cancer Awareness
Date: 14 October 2023
Organized by: PerMediNA Project, AMC (Association des malades du cancer), and the Association des Jeunes Chercheurs de l’Institut Pasteur de Tunis
Focus: Highlighting the importance of genetic testing and raising awareness about breast cancer prevention and early detection.
Scientific Day on Genetics in Hearing Health
Date: 28 September 2023
Organized by: Institut Pasteur de Tunis, in partnership with the Institut Français de Tunisie
Project: ISSMA – “Interest and Contribution of Exome Sequencing in the Diagnosis of Deafness in Tunisia”
Focus: Multidisciplinary exchange on genetic deafness research and its impact on childhood hearing health management.
Violence in the Hospital Environment Day
Organized by: Ethics Committee, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, UTM
Focus: Addressing and raising awareness about violence and ethical challenges in hospital environments.
Biohazard Crisis Communication Training
Date: 29–31 March 2022
Organized by: Communication Committee of the Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, in collaboration with the Directorate General of Military Health and GIZ
Focus: Training on communication strategies during biohazard and biosafety incidents.
Transversal Training: Announcement of Bad News
Focus: Skills and strategies for healthcare professionals to effectively communicate difficult or sensitive information to patients and families.
DIU Pharmacogenetics and Personalized Medicine
Focus: Raising awareness of advances in personalized medicine and pharmacogenetics applications in clinical practice.
CNEM Scientific Day: Racial Discrimination in Health
Date: 16 June 2023
Organized by: CNEM
Focus: Tackling racism, xenophobia, and discrimination in healthcare from scientific, ethical, historical, and legal perspectives.
AMAX Project (African Modeling and Analytics Academy for Women)
Organized by: Institut Pasteur de Tunis
Focus: Improving women’s health in Africa through mathematical modeling and data analysis.
Details:
- Addresses financial, cultural, and social barriers to healthcare for women.
- Focuses on four infectious disease research areas: HPV, HBV, COVID-19, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
- Builds an African network of experts in modeling and data analysis for women’s health.
WHO-TAG-G Launch Meeting
Date: 5–6 October 2023, Geneva
Representative: Dr. Yosr Hamdi, Biologist & Researcher, Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics Lab, Pasteur Institute of Tunis
Focus: Integration into the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Genomics.
Details:
- Advises WHO on human genomics and accelerates access to genomic knowledge and technologies, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
- Focus for next 2 years: Human genomics and related applications.
PerMediNA Project (Precision Medicine in North Africa)
Organized by: Institut Pasteur de Tunis
Focus: Awareness and implementation of precision medicine.
Initiatives:
- Special day for Pink October (breast cancer awareness) highlighting genetic testing.
- Research and outreach to improve public and clinical knowledge of precision medicine applications.
ISSMA Project – Genetics in Hearing Health
Organized by: Institut Pasteur de Tunis, in partnership with Institut Français de Tunisie
Focus: Exome sequencing for diagnosing genetic deafness in Tunisia.
Details:
- Multidisciplinary exchange between national and international experts.
- Evaluates current research and its impact on childhood hearing health.
Other Initiatives
- Transforming relationship with nature – campaigns and projects focusing on sustainability and health.
- Biohazard & biosafety initiatives – training and awareness campaigns for health professionals.
- Research into emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases – addressing climate change impacts and preventive measures.
Supporting SDG 3:
Good Health and Well-being
Good Health and Well-being