The Algerian health project in Ath Leqsar, Bouira province, is set to resume after a seven-year hiatus. According to a statement from the Bouira province health and population directorate, the polyclinic project was awarded to SARL Echaib for over 58 million Algerian dinars. The construction is expected to be completed within 18 months. The project was initially launched in June 2012 but stalled in 2015 due to repeated work stoppages and significant delays.
The project had reached 70% completion when it was halted, with an estimated 48-month delay. It was supposed to be completed and operational by early 2014. In 2017, former Health Minister Abdelmalek Boudiaf announced the project's revival, allocating a new budget from the province. However, it took over two years for the health directorate to finalize the necessary procedures, including evaluating the market and revising the technical study.
The delay in the project's revival led to protests by the local population, who have long suffered from inadequate healthcare services. In a show of frustration, residents closed the local town hall for a week. The health director and local authorities eventually signed an agreement to restart the project, which has now been awarded to SARL Echaib. Despite this, locals remain skeptical and demand swift action.
Yahiya Semmache, a member of a local association, expressed concerns that the project is still stalled. He stated that no work has begun on site, despite the announcement. Semmache warned that if construction does not start within a week, residents will resume protests. The association also questioned how the health directorate plans to equip the polyclinic without a dedicated budget.
Local associations have written to the new Health Minister, requesting an investigation into the unexplained delays in the project's revival. The project's revival has brought hope to the local population, who have been struggling with inadequate healthcare services for years. The new polyclinic is expected to significantly improve healthcare in the region.
The project's revival is seen as a positive step towards addressing the healthcare needs of the local population. However, concerns remain about the project's timeline and the availability of funds for equipment. The health directorate will need to work closely with local authorities and residents to ensure the project's successful completion.
The project's progress will be closely monitored by local residents, who are eager to see tangible results. With the project's revival, the health directorate has a chance to restore trust and demonstrate its commitment to improving healthcare services in the region. The project's success will depend on effective project management and collaboration with local stakeholders.
Key points
- The Algerian government has revived a stalled health project in Ath Leqsar, Bouira province, awarding it to SARL Echaib for over 58 million Algerian dinars.
- The project was initially launched in 2012 but stalled in 2015 due to repeated work stoppages and significant delays.
- Local residents remain skeptical about the project's progress and have demanded swift action to address their healthcare needs.
