Boudiaf: “Seasonal flu killed 20 people and Ebola virus does not exist in Algeria”

Minister of health, population and hospital reform, Abdelmalek Boudiaf, has asserted that seasonal influenza has killed 20 patients since its outbreak late last year adding that the Ebola virus doesn’t exist for the time being across the national territory on account of the stringent health controls undertaken on a regular basis by the relevant authorities.

“The same health control system for the prevention against the Ebola virus set up in the country’s northern part has been deployed in the South,” he added.

 Mr Abdelmalek Boudiaf, further announced on a separate file that a budget of DZD 320 million Algerian dinars was earmarked for the renovation and upgrading of the cancer treatment center “Pierre and Marie Curie” of Algiers (CPMC).

Mr Boudiaf, who inspected the conditions of the health care provided to cancer patients at the specialized center affirmed that DZD150 million were allocated to rehabilitate the center, while DZD120 million and DZD 50 million dinars were assigned respectively to renovate former surgery wards and build two new ones for liver transplant.

On the other hand, the CPMC has received DZD500 million for the purchase of brand-new equipment as well as DZD150 million for the acquisition of an up to date accelerator, which is expected to be delivered in September.

Furthermore, the health Minister said that by the end of 2015, the Centre, located in Mustapha Pasha Hospital, will be endowed with four machines, including three accelerators and cobalt.

Mr Boudiaf added that the CPMC center received new breast surgery equipment worth DZD140 million.

By next June 2015, the center will receive 10 specialized chemotherapy agents, who are currently undergoing training.