Algeria: Judicial probe into involvement of doctors, nurses in theft of medicines and vaccines from hospitals

Well-informed sources told Echorouk that judicial police services have launched an in-depth investigation into the reported shadowy practices of a total of 530 doctors, nurses and employees in public hospitals in various parts of the capital Algiers suspected of involvement in the wanton theft of medicines, medical equipment, vaccines and blood bags.

The investigators suspect them of stealing these medical products and equipment and transferring them to private health facilities notably clinics for the latter’s own internal use and in exchange for large sums of money.

Some of these stolen medicines have even been smuggled abroad despite the fact that they were primarily destined to Algerian patients seeking more often than not urgent medical treatment, the same sources added.

Such a widespread judicial probe has been ordered by the minister of health, population and hospital reform, Abdelmalek Boudiaf, who vowed to bring to justice any doctor, nurse or public hospital employee involved in the stealing of medicines, medical equipment, vaccines and blood bags from any public health center across the national territory.

The Minister’s move came in the aftermath of numerous assessment reports and testimonies from many well-meaning people purporting widespread undercover stealing practices in several public hospitals and health centers in various parts of the country with on prime focus Algiers province where such a nefarious phenomenon has taken large-scale proportions over the past few years.