Health Minister Cites Cancer Registries for Policy Success
Algeria's Health Minister emphasized the crucial role of the National Network of Population Cancer Registries in ensuring the success of the country's national cancer policy. This network provides essential data to inform strategic health decisions and supports the ongoing fight against cancer.
The Algerian Minister of Health, Mohamed Seddik Ait Massaoudan, recently underscored the fundamental importance of the National Network of Population Cancer Registries as a cornerstone for the success of the national cancer policy. Speaking at the annual meeting of the network for 2026, a speech read on his behalf by the Ministry's Secretary-General, Mohamed Talhi, Minister Ait Massaoudan highlighted that the work of the national network teams is crucial for achieving national policy objectives in combating cancer. He reaffirmed the state's commitment to continuing the fight against the disease through comprehensive mobilization and sustained coordination among various stakeholders.
Acknowledging cancer as a prominent public health challenge, the Minister pointed to specific figures illustrating the scale of the issue. Breast cancer, for instance, leads among women with 14,712 new cases annually, accounting for over 42% of recorded female cancers. Among men, prostate cancer is the most prevalent, with 4,334 new cases each year, followed by colon cancer with 4,066 cases. These statistics, he noted, reflect both a significant health and humanitarian challenge, necessitating Algeria's ongoing investment in prevention, early detection, and the enhancement of diagnostic and treatment pathways.
The Minister further detailed that the National Network of Population Cancer Registries has made substantial progress since 2015, successfully generating epidemiological indicators categorized by gender, age, site of infection, and wilaya. This data is critical for supporting evidence-based health decisions while ensuring information confidentiality and ethical practices. The insights provided by the network have been instrumental in shaping the sector's strategic choices, notably contributing to the development of the National Strategy for Cancer Prevention and Control for the period 2025-2035. This ongoing effort underscores Algeria's commitment to a health strategy grounded in reliable scientific data and robust planning.
