With more than 200 establishments, including clinics and centers, in addition to the universally recognized competence of its cosmetic surgeons, Tunisia continues to attract both local customers and foreign tourists. However, beware of the gaps that remain and undermine a legitimately acquired reputation.
Cosmetic surgery is doing well in Tunisia. The observation is there, obvious. The figures bear witness to it: nearly 50% of the global tourism revenues collected in 2023 are generated by medical tourism, report the statistics published by the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts. Worldwide, this sector, according to the WHO, has accumulated revenues estimated at 100 billion dollars in 2023, with an annual growth of 25% and forecasts of 180 billion dollars in revenues in 2026. Tunisian cosmetic surgery is not left out.
Relayed by more than 200 specialized establishments (between clinics and centers), by the competence of doctors, some of whom were trained in Europe and the United States, and by the constant improvement of innovative protocols, thanks to international accreditation, in addition, of course, to the flattering reputation of Tunisian tourism.
Tunisian cosmetic surgery is bankrupt
The other reason for the rapid growth of this sector lies in the expansion of online medical agencies, the application of attractive prices, and the use of modern and high-tech equipment. “No, to do it, we no longer need to go to Lebanon, Egypt, or Brazil, countries that are essential in this area,” says Houaida Fourati, a never-ending businesswoman, smiling. of praise for what she considers to be an invaluable achievement for Tunisia. “What is great,” she adds, “is that Tunisian cosmetic surgery has become mainstream, “”, by introducing the latest Western inventions, such as immediate breast reconstruction after breast cancer, liposuction of the belly and from the back. One of the latest in this field is the Colombian facelift, which consists of toning and firming the skin of the face using advanced technology that stimulates the production of collagen, redefines the contours, and offers a natural facelift in a few sessions.
On the other hand, Hamida Rejeb, owner of a local startup, does not seem entirely thrilled. “It’s true,” she said, “that we lack nothing, or almost nothing, in this area, except that the prices are, in my opinion, excessively expensive. And if they happen to be, somehow affordable. In addition, the risk of the operation failing is to be feared. So, we would lose nothing by reducing costs.”
For his part, Dr. Hichem Gharbi, a cosmetic surgeon, is surprised that “some are suing us, even though they spend double, or even triple, by having an operation abroad. It is truly distressing to see that we forget, or we pretend to forget, that we too have costs to amortize and heavy burdens in the face of the dizzying rise in the prices of equipment that we import from Europe.”
Medical tourists spend 4 times more!
The disappointment of our interlocutor is all the greater as he emphasizes: “Our prices are certainly less expensive than in the rest of the Arab and African countries where, on top of that, there are more and more failed surgical operations. So, do your sums.”
These remarks are, in any case, confirmed by the growth in the number of foreign patients who come to undergo surgery in Tunisia. “We are receiving more and more French, Algerian, Libyan and even Gulf countries tourists,” assures Dr. Gharbi. And if they come here, it is certainly not for our beautiful eyes, but simply out of conviction. Indeed, in addition to the highly sought-after advantage of combining business with pleasure, particularly in summer, they are generally satisfied with our services during the treatment. They particularly ask us for cosmetic surgery operations and dental implants, the costs of which are much higher at home, hence their return, accompanied by parents or friends. And then, some may not know that medical tourists spend 4 times more than traditional tourists, which makes cosmetic surgery the spearhead of medical tourism in Tunisia.
Last May, our country hosted the 10th Cosmetic Surgery Congress intended for the presentation, by Tunisian and foreign experts, of new advances in regenerative medicine and the latest facelift techniques. Tunisia also participated in Paris at the famous TTM International Medical Tourism Exhibition, as part of the policy of consolidating partnership ties with sister and friendly countries and with international organizations advocated by the State.
If things go wrong, how can I get compensation?
On the court side, two elements are currently disrupting the progression of cosmetic surgery in Tunisia. First, friendly fire: unfair competition from Tunisian clinics based abroad, particularly in Libya, which encourages the local population to come and have operations there at home, and at lower costs. This generates a shortfall for local clinics. And to think that these establishments operating far from our borders do not hesitate, via the Web, to circulate job offers to medical and paramedical executives.
Then there is what professionals call “disastrous management of the customer side”. In the sense that patient complaints are not uncommon. For Dr. Hichem Gharbi, “We must recognize that in certain clinics, we have little control over medical codes and ethics, so that when a patient has an operation and if it goes wrong, he will not be able to obtain compensation or sue. And that will have to change.”
Hasna Belkahla, an interior designer, still can’t believe it. “I’m starting to seriously question the competence of cosmetic surgeons,” she says, “when I remember the misfortune of my daughter who didn’t receive the necessary care after her botched nose job, which worsened her health and caused her nervous breakdowns and high, exhausting stress. A year later, can you imagine, they still haven’t compensated us.”
Inconsolable, this lady who, however, says she is a regular at Spas and beauty and plastic surgery centers, speaks of “banditry”, to the extent that, she deplores, “clinics and centers and through sponsored sites on social networks and fueled by Instagrammers and misleading advertisements, a bait to abuse the credulity of people tempted by cosmetic surgery and not sufficiently informed
