Tunis: An estimated 100,000 Tunisians have coeliac disease, that is about 1% of the population, said member of the Tunisian Association of Coeliac Patients Mouna Dakhlaoui.
Only 25,000 cases were diagnosed and fewer patients are observing the gluten-free diet regularly owing to its high cost, Dakhlaoui further told TAP on Saturday on the sidelines of an awareness event in La Marsa, Tunis northern suburbs.
The event is aimed to bring light on the disease and emphasise the importance of early detection.
The high cost of gluten-free products is one main challenge facing patients, in addition to them being uncovered by health insurance.
The Coeliac disease is an illness caused by an immune reaction to eating gluten- the general name for the proteins found in wheat, rye, barley and triticale
The Tunisian Association of Coeliac Patients seeks to help patients observe a gluten-free diet, raise the awareness of their families and the public with a view to fostering a better understanding of the disease and advoc
ate their interests before manufacturers of food products, authorities and insurance bodies.
A network of gluten-free bakeries is an additional target along with the provision of support to creating such projects in regions. The Tunisian Association managed to create two 100% gluten-free bakeries in Tunis and Djerba.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse