Algerian Radio
The Minister of Health, Mohamed Seddik Aït Messaoudène, received a delegation from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), led by Ms. Katarina Johansson, to discuss ways and mechanisms to strengthen bilateral cooperation, according to a ministry statement released on Tuesday.
The statement explained that the meeting, attended by central administration officials, was dedicated to "discussing ways and mechanisms to strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in the fields of maternal and child health," as well as discussing "prospects for transferring Algerian expertise and experience at the continental level, contributing to the improvement of health service quality."
The discussions also addressed "ways to support humanitarian work for refugees, especially regarding the reinforcement of field health interventions."
On this occasion, Mr. Aït Messaoudène presented an overview of the Algerian experience in the field of vaccination, reviewing the historical trajectory of the Pasteur Institute of Algeria and its leading role in vaccine production. This direction, he emphasized, reflects the "depth and accumulation of national expertise in this field," while stressing the "importance of achieving health sovereignty, especially in the medical and pharmaceutical sectors."
Regarding the strategy for digitalizing the health sector, the Minister reviewed the most prominent digital platforms that will enter service soon, led by the Patient's Electronic Medical Record, which aims to "improve health management through its various stages, from vaccination to treatment, alongside the integration of artificial intelligence and the development of telemedicine services," the statement added.
Furthermore, both parties highlighted the "importance of strengthening community health, as a fundamental pillar for bringing health services closer to citizens and improving prevention." They also discussed "prospects for strengthening South-South cooperation to share successful expertise and experiences, particularly across the African continent."
For her part, Ms. Johansson praised Algeria’s leading experience in maternal and child health and vaccination programs, expressing the "organization’s readiness to support and accompany the Algerian health system in transferring its expertise to the continental level."
At the conclusion of the meeting, the two sides emphasized the "necessity of continuing coordination and strengthening partnership to serve shared goals in improving population health within a sustainable vision."
