(The Manila Times) TUNIS: Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi sacked Tunisia’s health minister on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila), the premier’s office said, as spiraling coronavirus cases weigh on the North African country’s swamped health system.

Faouzi Mehdi’s sacking came days after the ministry’s spokesman said the health situation was overwhelming with the pandemic causing more than 17,000 deaths in a population of around 12 million.

Mechichi’s office, which has overseen a fractious Cabinet rocked by ministerial resignations and tensions with President Kais Saied, announced Mehdi’s sacking in a brief statement without giving a reason for the move.

It said Social Affairs Minister Mohamed Trabelsi would take over in a caretaker capacity. Mehdi had initiated a temporary opening of vaccination stations to all Tunisians over 18 for Tuesday and Wednesday to mark the Eid al-Adha Muslim festival.

But that led to stampedes at some 29 vaccination centers where jab stocks quickly ran dry.