Tunisia: Health Minister Dies during Marathon against Cancer

Tunisian Health Minister Slim Chaker passed away Sunday after suffering from a heart failure during a marathon against cancer organized in Nabeul governorate.

The official, 56, suffered from heart attack during the race organized by Nourane, a civil society organization. He was given intense health assistance at Grombalia hospital but as his condition was worsening he was whisked to Tunis military hospital where he died.

Chaker, who was appointed Health Minister nearly a month ago, had held several ministerial positions in post-2011 revolution governments.

Dhaker Lahidheb, the doctor who treated the minister in Tunis military hospital indicated that the deceased received the necessary medical attention but stopped short of unveiling the cause of the death citing medical secret and military discipline.

Lahidheb said it is up to the family to disclose the cause of the death of the former political aid of President Caid Essebsi.