Algerian Radio
Minister of Health, Mr. Mohamed Seddik Aït Messouedene, highlighted on Saturday the various efforts made by the State in the fight against cancer, emphasizing the transition to a new, more effective phase in addressing current challenges.
Presiding over the opening of the International Meeting on Research in the Field of Cancer, held under the high patronage of the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Mr. Aït Messouedene stressed that "the scale of the challenges has necessitated a move toward a new, more ambitious and effective phase, based on developing national research programs, strengthening epidemiological studies, updating national cancer registries, and supporting clinical research in accordance with approved international standards."
He noted that cancer has become an "increasing challenge in Algeria" due to changing lifestyles and increased exposure to risk factors such as smoking, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and environmental factors.
"Accordingly, the fight against cancer cannot be limited to expanding care and treatment capacities; it also requires a national ability to develop solutions tailored to the reality of our society," he affirmed.
In this context, he emphasized the special importance his sector places on expanding organized screening programs, particularly for breast and cervical cancer, while ensuring access for citizens across all regions of the country. Meanwhile, the State continues its investments to strengthen the national network of specialized facilities, which currently includes 15 anti-cancer centers, 24 radiotherapy centers, 61 linear accelerators, and 52 innovative treatments integrated into the national therapeutic arsenal.
For his part, the Minister of Pharmaceutical Industry, Mr. Ouassim Kouidri, noted that this meeting reflects "Algeria's firm determination to strengthen scientific research and establish an integrated approach to face one of the most prominent health challenges of the modern era." He recalled that developing the pharmaceutical industry is a "sovereign choice aimed at reducing dependency, serving citizen health, and boosting national capacities in medicine production, led by anti-cancer drugs."
In this regard, Algeria has achieved "qualitative milestones," such as strengthening the pharmaceutical industrial fabric. The country now possesses a significant number of production units for various pharmaceutical forms, with substantial capacities that cover over 82% of national needs, in addition to developing drugs for cancer treatment, including chemical, biological, and biosimilar medicines, alongside launching strategic projects for the manufacture of raw materials.
The President of the National Commission for Cancer Prevention and Control, Mr. Adda Bounedjar, pointed out that the fifth axis of the National Strategy for Cancer Prevention and Control relies on research and training. National efforts in cancer research have been bolstered, as this type of research constitutes 40% of the total research conducted globally.
He also mentioned that the purpose of this symposium, which features six workshops, is to "establish a true partnership between the concerned sectors," noting that "the goals of the National Strategy cannot be achieved without possessing all essential data in the field of cancer and without robust national registries to serve clinical trials."
Finally, the Director of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization, Ms. Elisabete Weiderpass, praised Algeria's adoption of a national strategy to fight cancer, affirming that "it can play a leading role in developing cooperation in North Africa and the Arab world."
