A recent council meeting in Tizi Ouzou, presided over by Wali Mahmoud Djemaâ, focused on the state of public health in the region. Almost all attendees, including local district chiefs, agreed that the health sector has been struggling, particularly in recent years. The director of Draâ El Mizan hospital, who was recently appointed, made a candid admission about the dire situation at his facility, describing it as "a death trap" and stating that it has been without a responsible leader for nearly two years.
The hospital director's comments corroborated the concerns expressed by the district chief of Draâ El Mizan about the state of healthcare in his area. Prior to the director's remarks, the Deputy Director of Health (DSP) presented a two-hour report on the sector, highlighting available equipment, ongoing projects, and new hospital construction plans. While the DSP's presentation painted a positive picture, the Wali later tempered expectations, acknowledging that despite a higher-than-average healthcare coverage in the region, there is still much work to be done.
Wali Djemaâ emphasized the need to maintain and upgrade existing healthcare facilities to ensure they function effectively. He also announced plans to revive stalled projects, including the construction of a new university hospital and a mother-child clinic. The Wali urged for the completion of ongoing projects, such as the Ouadhias hospital, within the scheduled deadline of next March. Local district chiefs subsequently shared their own concerns about healthcare in their areas, highlighting issues such as inadequate infrastructure and equipment.
Several district chiefs echoed similar concerns, with the chief of Ouaguenoun expressing relief over the reopening of a local polyclinic that had been closed for over a month. However, he also stressed the need for a fully-equipped healthcare facility in Makouda to provide better care for patients and expectant mothers. The chief of Azazga lamented the decline in healthcare services at local facilities, reflecting a broader sentiment among attendees that the sector requires significant improvement.
The meeting's tone was largely critical of the current state of healthcare in Tizi Ouzou, with many attributing the problems to the lack of a designated leader in the sector for over two years. A senior official noted that the absence of effective leadership has exacerbated existing challenges, hindering the sector's ability to provide quality care. The officials' comments underscore the need for urgent reforms and investments to address the region's healthcare needs.
The director of Draâ El Mizan hospital, in his address, urged for honesty and transparency in discussing the sector's challenges, citing President Tebboune's encouragement to speak truthfully about the situation. His comments were seen as a call to action for stakeholders to work together to address the systemic issues plaguing the healthcare sector in Tizi Ouzou. The meeting concluded with a shared understanding of the need for collective efforts to improve healthcare services in the region.
The Tizi Ouzou health sector crisis highlights the complexities of addressing healthcare challenges in Algeria's regions. With a higher-than-average healthcare coverage, the region still struggles with inadequate infrastructure, equipment, and leadership. The Wali's commitment to reviving stalled projects and upgrading existing facilities offers a glimmer of hope for improvement, but much work remains to be done to ensure that residents receive quality healthcare services.
Key points
- The health sector in Tizi Ouzou suffers from inadequate infrastructure and equipment.
- The region's healthcare coverage is above the national average, but still requires significant improvement.
- The lack of a designated leader in the sector for over two years has exacerbated existing challenges.
