National Burn Treatment Capacity Expands Across Algeria
Algeria has substantially advanced its national healthcare infrastructure for treating severe burn victims over the past six years, moving away from a previous reliance on foreign medical transfers. This strategic shift by public authorities has led to the development of specialized national capabilities. Today, Algeria features major dedicated burn hospitals, notably the Dr. Said Chiban Hospital in Zeralda and the Oran Burn Hospital, complemented by specialized units within university hospital centers across several states. This expansion continues with new projects, including a planned burn hospital in Tiaret and additional facilities in southern and eastern regions.
The Ministry of Health has redefined its healthcare map and treatment protocols for burn victims. Simple and moderate cases are now handled at a local level, while serious cases are stabilized at the nearest capable institution. Critically, severe and complex burns are directed to designated “reference centers” such as the Zeralda and Oran hospitals, which are equipped with intensive care, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery departments, and specialized equipment. The Oran Burn Hospital, inaugurated in June 2022 with a capacity of 125 beds, serves patients from western and southwestern states, featuring a helipad for rapid emergency transfers. The Dr. Said Chiban Burn Hospital in Zeralda, operational since July 2023 with 140 beds, stands as the nation's largest specialized burn facility, playing a pivotal role in strengthening the country’s health sovereignty and reducing the necessity of international transfers for complex cases.
These new national burn centers have become integral to Algeria's disaster response framework. The Zeralda hospital, for instance, has demonstrated its critical function by receiving victims from recent fires, illustrating a system where patients are stabilized locally before being transferred to an appropriate reference center if their injuries demand specialized care beyond local capacity. Beyond these primary facilities, specialized units are active in university hospitals across the country. Annaba’s Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Batna’s Benflis Touhami University Hospital Center, and Constantine’s Dr. Ibn Badis University Hospital Center each contribute specialized expertise, particularly for patients in the eastern and southeastern regions.
Further enhancing this national network, a specialized burn unit commenced operations in Ouargla’s provincial hospital in 2025, offering a capacity of 40 beds, operating rooms, and intensive care facilities staffed by specialists in plastic surgery and anesthesiology. This development is crucial for southern and southeastern states, where long-distance patient transfers previously posed significant logistical challenges. Additionally, the Ministry of Health announced in 2025 the planned establishment of a specialized burn treatment unit within the new university hospital project in Béchar. Concurrently, a specialized hospital for severe burn treatment is planned for Tiaret, strategically positioned to create an integrated hospital hub that will bolster care in the western and high plateau regions, thereby alleviating pressure on major centers in Oran and the capital.
