Location: El Gamas and Nouvelle Ville districts in Constantine

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:
Since 2005, DoW has been working in Constantine with the Social Development Agency, which now covers the costs of asthma treatment. Another partnership with the local organisation CIRTA OXYGÈNE was started in 2008. This partnership is focused on health promotion activities in relation to common chronic diseases and the provision of individual post-diagnosis health education sessions in two districts of Constantine. A programme of screening for risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease was carried out among young people. Medical consultations were provided to those who were identified as being at-risk.

 
Outlook:

CIRTA OXYGÈNE will continue to work on screening and monitoring chronic diseases. In 2009, a team of doctors and trainers from Grenoble will to go Constantine to exchange best practice and potentially offer training in health education. The organisation is also continuing to look for funding, with a view to becoming completely independent.

Project start date: February 2005

End date: On-going