New mural at Salah Azaïez Institute turns care into public art

A new mural titled “Main dans la main” has been inaugurated at the Salah Azaïez Institute in Tunis, using public art to bring a message of support into a hospital setting.

The work is built around the image of the hand: the hand that accompanies pain, the hand that comforts, and the hand that helps patients through treatment.

La Presse described the mural as a message of resilience and reassurance for people facing illness. The work highlights the role of relatives, friends and caregivers in the treatment journey.

The project received support from the French Institute of Tunisia, represented by Hélène Ferrer, as well as from the management of the Salah Azaïez Institute.

The Health Ministry also gave its official approval and cooperation for the work to be installed inside the hospital.

The Salah Azaïez Institute is one of the country’s main oncology institutions. Placing an artwork inside the institute gives the project a particular meaning: it is aimed at patients, families and medical staff who pass through the space every day.

What the mural changes is the environment in which care is received. In hospitals, colour, symbols and public art can help soften spaces often associated with waiting, anxiety and treatment.

“Main dans la main” also carries a simple message for families. Illness is experienced by patients first, but support from relatives, siblings, friends and caregivers remains part of the emotional and psychological path through treatment.