Algerian Radio
The Ministry of Health organized a meeting on Tuesday in Algiers to mark World Hepatitis Day, with emphasis placed on continuing national efforts to strengthen prevention, expand screening, and improve care, with the ultimate goal of eliminating the disease by 2030.
In an address delivered on his behalf by the Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Health, Hadj Maâti Khalil Reda, the Minister of Health, Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene, emphasized that the fight against viral hepatitis constitutes "a national priority within public health policies." He noted that celebrating this day is "an opportunity to evaluate achievements, identify challenges to be met, and reiterate the determination to continue joint action to strengthen prevention, expand screening, and improve care until this disease is eliminated in our country."
Consequently, Algeria has adopted the National Strategic Plan (2024–2027) for the elimination of viral hepatitis, developed using a participatory approach with the contribution of various stakeholders to serve as a "national roadmap based on prevention, early detection, and therapeutic care," the minister recalled.
This plan also constitutes "an essential step toward reducing infections and deaths related to hepatitis, placing particular importance on eliminating mother-to-child transmission of the hepatitis B virus." He added that these objectives require "the continued mobilization of all partners and the strengthening of coordination among them."
To this end, the minister recalled the target set by the WHO to eliminate the disease by 2030, in line with the global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis.
Algeria "has made significant progress in prevention," notably through compulsory vaccination against viral hepatitis B, which has been part of the pediatric vaccination schedule since 2003. He also mentioned the improvement of hepatitis B and C screening within testing centers, alongside the reinforcement of awareness campaigns targeting all segments of the population.
Regarding treatment and care, the minister reviewed the main efforts to strengthen the management of this disease. This has been achieved by mobilizing human and material resources nationwide, drafting a therapeutic management guide, and expanding the decentralization of care for this pathology—measures that reflect "the state's commitment to guaranteeing every citizen's right to prevention, screening, treatment, and care."
World Hepatitis Day is celebrated this year under the slogan "Hépatite: briser les barrières" (Hepatitis: Breaking Barriers).
