The center for autistic children in Bouira, Algeria, is struggling to provide adequate care due to a shortage of specialized staff. According to parents, the waiting list is long, with some waiting over six months to enroll their children. The center's infrastructure, which depends on the Direction de l'Action Sociale, is not fully utilized due to the lack of pediatric psychiatrists.
The director of health for the Bouira province, Mme Ghalem, recently stated that new activities will be developed, including pediatric psychiatry, to address the growing number of autistic children. However, the center currently lacks the necessary specialists to provide proper care. Parents are frustrated, with some expressing concerns that their children are not receiving the attention they need.
The lack of specialists is not unique to Bouira, as the number of autistic children is increasing nationwide. The psychiatric hospital in Sour El Ghozlane, which opened in 2016, has a pediatric psychiatry service that deals mainly with autistic children. The service has made significant progress, with 2617 diagnoses made in just three years, and 95% of those diagnosed with autism.
The hospital's director, M. Fodhil Aboudher, stated that the hospital's plan for 2019 includes collaborating with other services, such as education and social services, to improve care for autistic children. The hospital has also launched new activities and training programs for staff to better handle cases of autism.
Dr. Abadi, a pediatric psychiatrist at the hospital, revealed that between 95 and 98% of patients suffer from autism spectrum disorders, and 95% are taken care of at the hospital with a team of trained psychologists, speech therapists, and occupational therapists. However, the hospital still faces challenges in providing daily care to patients who live far away.
The hospital's service is not limited to Bouira, as it receives patients from other provinces, including M'sila and Medea. However, the distance can be a significant barrier for families who need to travel long distances for treatment. The hospital is working to address this issue by providing training for psychologists and other staff.
Despite the challenges, the hospital remains committed to providing the best possible care for autistic children. With the help of specialized staff and collaboration with other services, the hospital aims to improve the lives of children with autism and support their families.
Key points
- The Algerian autism center in Bouira faces a shortage of specialized staff, leading to long waitlists for children in need of care.
- The center's infrastructure is not fully utilized due to the lack of pediatric psychiatrists.
- The hospital in Sour El Ghozlane has made significant progress in diagnosing and treating autistic children, but still faces challenges in providing daily care to patients who live far away.
