Algerian Health Minister Pr Abderrahmane Benbouzid arrived in Tizi-Ouzou, a wilaya in Kabylie, to assess the region's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to reports from La Dépêche de Kabylie, Benbouzid's visit was conducted on the instructions of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. During his visit, Benbouzid expressed optimism about the evolution of the pandemic in Algeria, citing a decrease in daily deaths and a stabilization of the virus's spread.
Benbouzid visited the Tizi-Ouzou University Hospital Center (CHU) and the hospital in Tigzirt, located in the north of the wilaya. He reported that Algeria had not experienced the catastrophic scenario predicted by some scientists, which forecasted a peak of several dozen deaths by April 15. Instead, Benbouzid noted that the country had not recorded any deaths on the day of his visit, down from a daily average of 20 deaths previously.
The minister attributed the positive trend to the measures implemented by the government, as well as the public's adherence to prevention measures and confinement. He praised the efforts of citizens, village committees, and civil society organizations in Tizi-Ouzou and across the country for their role in enforcing these measures. Benbouzid also expressed gratitude to those who have supported the medical community on the front lines of the pandemic.
Despite Algeria's high mortality rate from COVID-19, Benbouzid explained that this figure may be skewed due to the inclusion of cases where individuals died outside of hospitals but were later tested positive for the virus post-mortem. He suggested that some of these deaths may have been caused by other underlying conditions, rather than COVID-19.
Benbouzid also touched on the theme of solidarity, thanking those who have supported the medical community during this challenging period. He noted that this outpouring of support is a hallmark of Algerian society, which has shown remarkable resilience during the pandemic. The minister promised to return to Tizi-Ouzou under better circumstances to listen to the concerns of healthcare workers.
The minister announced that his department has launched a reform of the healthcare sector, which will aim to address the shortcomings exposed by the pandemic. He reassured that he is committed to supporting healthcare workers and that a team of experts is working to identify areas for improvement.
Benbouzid concluded his visit by reiterating his commitment to being alongside those on the front lines of the pandemic, acknowledging that there are still challenges to be overcome. He expressed hope that the number of deaths from COVID-19 will continue to decrease, potentially allowing for a reduction in confinement measures and a boost to the economy.
Key points
- Algerian Health Minister Pr Abderrahmane Benbouzid visits Tizi-Ouzou to assess COVID-19 response.
- Benbouzid expresses optimism about the pandemic's evolution, citing a decrease in daily deaths.
- The minister attributes the positive trend to government measures and public adherence to prevention measures.