The Algerian province of Béjaïa has dedicated 2.2 billion centimes from its 2020 Budget Primitif (BP) to support the health sector in its fight against COVID-19. This allocation was announced by Mehenni Haddadou, President of the Assemblée Populaire de Wilaya (APW) of Béjaïa, following the unanimous adoption of the budget. The funds will primarily be used to purchase medical products, disinfection equipment, and for awareness campaigns on the dangers of the coronavirus.
The APW also invited the Directeur de la Santé Publique (DSP) and Professor Nouasria from the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) of Béjaïa to provide an update on the epidemic situation in the region, the preventive measures taken, and the facilities in place at hospitals. This move demonstrates the region's commitment to addressing the pandemic. Additionally, the APW has acquired four medical ambulances for the Etablissement Public Hospitalier (EPH) Frantz Fanon, which is part of the CHU de Béjaïa.
The total value of the four medical ambulances is estimated at 3.5 billion centimes. These vehicles are intended to handle potential confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the region. The 2020 BP of the Béjaïa wilaya, approved during a closed session to prevent COVID-19 contamination, amounts to over 300 billion centimes. The equipment section received 95 billion centimes, while the rest of the budget was allocated to the functioning section, primarily for civil servant salaries.
According to Mehenni Haddadou, the allocated amount for the 2020 BP is insufficient to cover the region's development needs and address the problems related to improving citizens' living standards. Nevertheless, the APW aimed to respond to urgent and priority needs. The education sector received an additional 2 billion centimes for school transportation, bringing the total allocated to this sector to 12 billion centimes.
An additional 2 billion centimes was voted for the renovation of degraded school establishments. The APW also allocated 9 billion centimes from its 2020 BP to support communes with financial difficulties or deficits. This move aims to help local authorities cope with their financial challenges.
The Béjaïa wilaya's 2020 budget was adopted during a session held behind closed doors to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission. The session reflects the region's cautious approach to addressing the pandemic while making essential budgetary decisions.
The allocation of 2.2 billion centimes to the health sector demonstrates the region's proactive approach to mitigating the impact of COVID-19. The Béjaïa wilaya's efforts to prioritize its budget and address pressing needs amid the pandemic are noteworthy.
Key points
- The Béjaïa region allocated 2.2 billion centimes to support its health sector in the fight against COVID-19.
- The region's 2020 budget amounts to over 300 billion centimes, with 95 billion centimes allocated to the equipment section.
- The APW also acquired four medical ambulances worth 3.5 billion centimes for the EPH Frantz Fanon.
