Location: Algiers

Situation:

Having undergone structural reforms encouraging privatisation, the Algerian public health system is in a state of crisis. Access to healthcare is far from guaranteed. Sometimes this is for financial reasons, particularly in relation to treatment for chronic diseases and sometimes there are social reasons-women affected by violence, for example, have little access to support to have their situation recognised. Doctors of the World (DoW) is working on both of these issues, in partnership with local organisations.

Activities:

DoW UK provides assistance to a network, known as WASSILA, by supporting a free, anonymous telephone helpline for women affected by violence. Our programme also provides training for the existing and newly created helpline teams (welcome, referrals and care for women who have been
subjected to violence). This programme enables multi-disciplinary care to be provided to women and also seeks to raise awareness of the issue among medical and legal personnel, who often come across women affected by violence. We are also involved in advocacy work to urge the authorities to become more involved in the issue of care for women affected by violence and to encourage changes to be made to the judicial system.

Outlook:

The project will come to an end in September 2009. We are studying the possibility of extending this work to other groups.

Project start date: July 2006     

End date: September 2009