Founding President

Professor Ali Fourati was born in Sfax on 11 April 1912 and died on 15 July 1998. He was the first Tunisian Muslim radiologist. He obtained his medical doctorate in Paris in 1939 after defending his thesis, “A contribution to the study of acne vulgaris”. In 1940 and 1941, he specialised in Radiology and Radiotherapy.

On his return to Tunisia in 1941, he began practising as a specialist at the Sadiki hospital (now the Aziza Othmana hospital) and the Charles Nicolle hospital in Tunis. From November 1949 to November 1950, he served as head of the radiology department of these same hospitals, as well as of Ernest Conseil hospital (now La Rabta hospital).

Prof. Ali Fourati founded the Société Tunisienne de Radiologie in 1952 under the name of Société Tunisienne d'Electro-Radiologie. From November 1950 to July 1982, he headed the radiology department of the Charles Nicolle hospital. From 1963 to 1966, he was the first full-time director of the Charles Nicolle hospital.

He introduced a great many advanced radiological techniques in Tunisia: lymphography in 1964 in collaboration with Dr Naceur Haddad, cineradiography for radiological examinations in 1967, splenoportography in 1969, and vascular investigations (aortography, arteriography…).

From 1959 to 1960, he was President of the Société des Sciences Médicales. From 1959 to 1964, he was a Member of the first National Assembly. Professor Ali Fourati is regarded as the spiritual father of Tunisian radiologists, the younger generation whom he encouraged and guided with great kindness and friendship.