AHEAD WORKSHOP

The AHEAD network workshop 

As part of its applied scientific research activities, the Laboratoire Recherche en Macroéconomie, Conjoncture et Méthodes Appliquées at the Institut Supérieur de Gestion in Tunis (MaCMA-ISG) is organizing its first conference on “Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the MENA Region: Social demands and Financial Constraints.”, on the 16 and 17 of December 2015 in Tunis. This conference is organized in collaboration with AHEAD Research Network, the Faculty of Economics and Management of Sfax (FSEGS) and the Tunisian Association for Scientific Studies on Population, Migration and Health (APPOMIS) both in Tunisia.

1. Context
Given the difficulties faced by people to individually take charge of their health risks, society has organized their own ways to collectively protect themselves either partly or almost completely against such risks. In Tunisia, health care coverage currently extends to almost the whole population. It is operated based on variables linked to the social security regime (SS) and to the public assistance system (Assistance Médicale Gratuite: AMG). Furthermore, contractual (group insurance) and mutual systems have been developed to overcome the shortcomings of social security systems with respect to protection against health risks and the failure of health care delivery system. Since 2005, health insurance schemes are handled by a single agency, la Caisse Nationale d’Assurance Maladie (CNAM). Inthis contexts the health care spending of those with social insurance (affiliated and with rights) in the public sector and/or private sector, are either partially or totally catered for by the CNAM depending on their insurance plans with the SS and their care choice. In the context of the AMG, the poor and vulnerable populations are only able to access the care provided by the health network of the Ministry of Health. In Tunisia, we are observing a situation where public power, enterprises and households, are considered to have reached their limit in their capacity to pay for health services. Nevertheless, the needs are still growing and the demand for services are becoming pressing such that public health facilities are in an unsolvable situation. In addition, the deficit of CNAM which does not cease to grow is becoming worrying. The main goal of this conference is to deepen the reflections on the protection of the population against the risk of diseases and in the interests of fairness and efficiency, in order to find a model of UHC appropriate for Tunisia and/or countries in the MENA region inspired from international experiences.

2. Scientific Committee
Pr. Abdelaziz GHABRI (President), ISG – Université de Tunis
Pr. Younes BOUJELBANE (Vice president), FSEG -Université de Sfax
Pr. Abu-Zaineh Mohammad, SESSTIM (UMR 912) – Aix-Marseille Université
Pr Ayadi Mohamed, ISG – Université de Tunis
Dr Audibert Martine, CERDI – CNRS – Université d’Auvergne
Pr Baccouche Rafik, FSEGT- Université de Tunis- El Manar
Pr Ben Hammouda Ahmed, ISG – Université de Tunis
Pr Ben Maatoug Abderrazzak, ISG – Université de Tunis
Pr Ben Said Lamjed, ISG – Université de Tunis
Pr Bouzaiene Lotfi, IHEC- Université de Carthage
PR Chaher Mehrez, ISG – Université de Tunis
Pr Chebbi Housemeddine, ESSEC- Université de Tunis
Pr Dhifallah Said Miloud, FSEGS – Université de Sfax
Pr Ellouedi Mohamed, ISG – Université de Tunis
Pr Gattoufi Said, ISG – Université de Tunis
Pr Fehri Hammadi, IHEC- Université de Carthage
Pr Halara Slaheddine, ISG – Université de Tunis
Dr Hammas Mohamed Ali, ISG – Université de Tunis
Pr Jilani Faouzi, FSEGT – Université de Tunis- El Manar
Pr Kassab Maher, ESC – Université de Mannouba
Pr Kassr Hassen, FSHST – Université de Tunis
Dr Kriaa Mohamed, ISG – Université de Tunis
Pr Loukil Faten, ISG – Université de Tunis
Dr Mabrouki Mohamed , ISAE -Université de Gafsa
Dr Mehri Nejib, ISG – Université de Tunis
Pr Mouley Samy, ESSEC – Université de Tunis
Pr Mtiraoui Ali, Faculté de médecine de Sousse – Université de Sousse
Pr Nouira-Ferchichi Kaouther, ISG – Université de Tunis
Pr Omri Abdelwahed, ISG – Université de Tunis
Pr Rajhi Mohamed Tahar, FSEGT – Université de Tunis El Manar
Pr Sidhom Hammadi, INTES -Université de Carthage
Pr Soltani Mohamed, Faculté de Médecine de Monastir – Université de Monastir
Pr Ventelou Bruno, SESSTIM (UMR 912) – Aix-Marseille Université

3. Organising Committee
Dr Cherifa Lakhoua (Presidente), IHEC-Université de Carthage
Ben Othmane Raoudha (Vice president), FSHST- Université de Tunis
Dr. Bousmah Marwân-al-Qays, SESSTIM (UMR 912), Aix-Marseille Université
Bargougui Khaled, ISCC-Université de Carthage
Harrathi Taliaa, ISG – Université de Tunis
Jouini Ines, ISG – Université – Tunis
Khadhraoui Wafa, ISG-Université de Tunis
Maddouri Asma, ISG, Université de Tunis
Nefzi Nourhen , ISG – Université de Tunis
Selmi Tarek, IHEC – Université de Sfax
Trad Asma, ISG – Université de Tunis
Dr. Woode Maame Esi, SESSTIM (UMR 912), Aix-Marseille Université
Zorgui Meryem, ISG-Université de Tunis

4. Conference Language
French and/or English

5. Proposed Axes

• Challenges of Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
• Approach and conditions of the UHC
• The role of the state and civil society in the design and implementation of t UHC
• Private/Public: complementarities and/or competitiveness in care delivery
• Issues relating to medications
• Demographic and epidemiological transition.
• Offering of health care services: production, costs, quality, efficiency and equity
• Governance and management of hospital risks
• Employment and UHC.