Tunisia’s Najda digital platform launches to tackle heart attacks

Tunisia is betting on digital speed to outpace one of medicine's deadliest foes: the heart attack. On August 12, the Ministry of Health announced the nationwide rollout of Najda, a platform built to catch cardiac emergencies in real time and mobilize help before precious minutes are lost. After a successful pilot, Najda is no longer just a test project; it's now the country's official rapid-response backbone for heart attacks.

As the ministry put it, the idea is simple but powerful — detect fast, respond faster.

How does it work?

Najda weaves together ambulances, cardiology units, and hospitals into one digital thread. Here's what happens when a suspected heart attack strikes:

• Patient data is transmitted instantly from the field to specialists.
• Cardiologists can begin guiding treatment remotely — sometimes even before the patient reaches the ER doors.
• Ambulance crews and hospital teams stay connected in real time, shaving off minutes that often mean the difference between recovery and tragedy.

The Tunisian Society of Cardiology and the National Accreditation Authority are training medical teams to use these tools, making sure the human element keeps pace with the technology.

Why does it matter?

Cardiac emergencies are a race against the clock. Delays translate into higher mortality and long-term damage. Najda cuts through the lag, improving survival rates and helping patients avoid a lifetime of weakened hearts.

But this isn't just about one disease. By setting new national standards for emergency protocols, Tunisia is nudging its entire health system toward greater coordination and reliability. As one official explained, Najda "reduces critical delays, improves survival, and minimizes long-term cardiac damage." That's more than efficiency; it's hope stitched into the healthcare fabric.

The context

Najda isn't a standalone experiment — it's part of a broader digital health strategy Tunisia has been quietly but steadily building. Recently, the government struck partnerships with South Korea to modernize health infrastructure and opened a telemedicine center to help patients in inland regions who often struggle with access.

This is also a story about vision. Today it's heart attacks. Tomorrow, Najda could extend to strokes, respiratory distress, or other emergencies — creating a unified national safety net. In a region where health systems are under pressure, Tunisia is signaling that digital innovation isn't a luxury. It's the next standard of care.