U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia Bill Bazzi joined Tunisian Ministry of Health officials, including Director General of Health Dr. Walid Naija, today for a groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of renovations to a pharmaceutical warehouse at the MOH’s Centralized Medicines and Vaccines Warehouse in Le Bardo.
The project, funded by the U.S. government through U.S. Africa Command’s (AFRICOM) Humanitarian Assistance Program and implemented in partnership with the MOH, will convert the facility into a secure, climate-controlled space for storing medicine, vaccines and laboratory reagents.
“The United States is proud to partner with the Ministry of Health on this initiative, which reflects our shared commitment to strengthening health infrastructure and building a healthier, more secure future for both Americans and Tunisians,” Ambassador Bazzi said. “Working with allies to combat disease and prevent health emergencies and pandemics protects Americans and people around the world.”
MAJ Anh Ky Ban, USAFRICOM Humanitarian Assistance Program Manager, said the effort reflects a broader security partnership between the United States and Tunisia.
“Our security cooperation with Tunisia extends far beyond traditional defense,” Ban said. “It is built on shared resilience and protecting civilian lives. Upgrading these five key medical facilities in Le Bardo, Chebbi, will have impacts across the country ensuring our partners have the modern logistics and infrastructure they require to immediately distribute critical medical aid during humanitarian crises or natural disasters.”
The renovation builds on a previous project that transformed a similar warehouse into secure, climate-controlled storage space.
Planned work on the warehouse includes roof repairs, installation of air treatment systems, construction of cold rooms, shelving systems and administrative spaces.
Students from the National School of Architecture and Urban Design and other Tunisian universities are participating in the project.
Following the ceremony, Ambassador Bazzi met with participating university interns and toured the warehouse site.
TunisianMonitorNews
