WHO, UNICEF Partner on Algerian School Health Initiative
The Ministry of Health in Algeria has announced the final stage of preparing its multi-sectoral National Strategic Plan for Prevention and Health Promotion in the School Environment. This development was shared during the second National School Health Day, held in Algiers on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. Mohamed Talhi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Health, representing Minister Mohamed Seddik Ait Massaoudan, oversaw the event, which included representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, alongside officials from various ministerial sectors and national institutions. The plan underscores the priority given to child and student health, aiming to establish schools as supportive environments for health, prevention, and the promotion of healthy behaviors, while protecting children and adolescents from diseases and risk factors.
The strategic plan emerged from an extensive consultative and evaluative process, which included meetings at the wilaya level to assess the current state of school health and the effectiveness of existing programs. This process identified areas for improvement, gathered input from stakeholders, and proposed solutions to create an integrated national vision for school health. Coordinated with the Ministries of National Education, Youth, Interior, Local Authorities, and Transport, the plan is expected to serve as a comprehensive reference for collaborative action, delineating priorities, roles, and responsibilities, and translating national directives into actionable programs supported by monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
Efforts to develop the school health system further include the establishment of a National Committee of Experts for School Health and a multi-sectoral National Committee for School Health Promotion, designed to provide guidance and foster inter-sectoral coordination. Training courses have also been conducted for school health professionals, including doctors, dentists, and psychologists, to enhance their skills and improve the quality of care for children and adolescents. UNICEF’s Assistant Representative in Algeria, Eva Melas, noted that Algeria's school health system includes over 2,000 screening and follow-up units and more than 7,000 personnel. Both Ms. Melas and Dr. Faniol Habimana, WHO Representative in Algeria, commended the Algerian health authorities' commitment to school health and the dynamic cooperation among health, education, youth, child protection, and local authorities sectors.
