Tunisia: AICS launches Mednet for One Health project

(ANSA) - TUNISI, 23 OTT - The Tunis headquarters of the Italian Development Cooperation Agency (AICS) hosted the presentation ceremony of the 'Mednet Mediterranean Network for One Health', a project funded by the Italian Development Cooperation Agency (AICS) and implemented by the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise (IZS Teramo) in coordination with the Tunisian Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO) Tunisia. "The One Health approach is at the heart of the Italian strategy to respond effectively to health emergencies," said the Italian Ambassador to Tunisia, Alessandro Prunas via the Embassy's social channels. Mednet 4OH aims to improve the capacity to respond to health emergencies through an integrated One Health approach, which takes into account the close connection between human, animal and environmental health. At the heart of the project," explains an ICAO note, "is the development of a state-of-the-art genomic platform, capable of monitoring in real time the spread of pathogens that pose a growing threat to public health. This digital infrastructure will use innovative diagnostic methods developed during the project, such as next-generation sequencing (Ngs) technologies, to collect and analyse genetic data quickly and accurately. Mednet also aims to mobilise digital and social resources to ensure that health information is easily accessible to decision-makers, healthcare professionals and the public. The project, which will run for three years, is an important step towards more effective management of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases in the Mediterranean region, with positive repercussions also for Italy and other European countries In addition to Ambassador Prunas, the ceremony was also attended by Abderrazak Bouzouita, Director General of the Public Health Department of the Tunisian Ministry of Health, Ibrahim Ziq, WHO Resident Representative in Tunisia, Nicola d'Alterio, Director General of the IZS in Teramo, and the Director of the AICS Regional Office in Tunis, Andrea Senatori. During his opening speech, Ambassador Prunas emphasised how "this event marks the beginning of a promising initiative that demonstrates Italy's strong commitment to the health and well-being of the Tunisian population". 'Thanks to the collaboration with the Tunisian authorities,' added Prunas, 'we have the opportunity to develop digital tools and platforms for effective surveillance and an optimal response to health threats'. The Director General of the IZS of Teramo, Nicola D'Alterio, emphasised that "sharing resources and knowledge is not just a technical issue, but an essential strategy for tackling global health challenges in the name of One Health", expressing pride in "working with Tunisia and in the future with North African countries to create a surveillance network capable of responding promptly to health threats, with benefits that will go beyond national borders, to the benefit of public health in the entire Mediterranean region". The Director of AICS Tunis, Andrea Senatori, finally stated that "the Italian Cooperation's commitment to strengthening the Tunisian health system is also reflected in its support for public investments to improve various hospital services. The Mednet 4OH project fits perfectly into this dynamic, aiming to strengthen the capacity of the Tunisian health system by by improving syndromic surveillance and diagnosis of infectious diseases'. (ANSA)