Algerian Radio
Algeria is one of the few countries in the world that manufactures more than 80% of its health product needs, according to the Director General of Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya. He highlighted Algeria's pioneering position in health security and its role in disease prevention across Africa.
"Algeria is the only country in Africa and one of the rare countries in the world to manufacture more than 80% of the health products it uses," the Director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) told APS, noting he observed this during his visit to Algeria last November.
Mr. Kaseya, who participated Monday in Algiers in a regional workshop on the development of health technology assessment programs, emphasized Algeria's forward-looking position. "I had very productive meetings with the Minister of Health and the Minister of Pharmaceutical Production, and I can tell you that Algeria is at the forefront of health security," he noted, describing the country as a "pilot" in the pharmaceutical field.
He also highlighted the "excellent collaborative relationship" between Algeria and Africa CDC in fighting diseases across the African continent. In this context, he noted that Algeria provides African countries with not only pharmaceutical products but also human resources. "Algeria has incredible potential in human resources," he specified.
"By working with African countries, we manage to control epidemics where they occur, and that is also what ensures Algeria's health sovereignty and security," Mr. Kaseya maintained.
Regarding the ministerial conference on the local production of medicines and other health technologies in Africa held last November, the Director General spoke of the event's importance, recalling that it resulted in the "Algiers Declaration." According to him, "it was the first time Africa stood up to say: we want our health sovereignty."
This issue "was the subject of the hour-long meeting I had today (Monday) with the Minister of Pharmaceutical Production (...) and I can tell you that the assessment is very positive," added Mr. Kaseya.
He further emphasized the importance of creating a dedicated ministry for pharmaceutical production in Algeria, stating that it "demonstrates the vision the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, has regarding this field."
