The representative of the World Health Organization, Fanuel Habimana, praised the approach adopted by Algeria in developing its national strategic plan for occupational health and safety for the period 2026-2030, valuing its commitment to protecting workers’ health, promoting equality, and supporting sustainable development, in accordance with international obligations.
The Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Health, Haj Maati Khalil Reda, supervised, on Monday, at the AZ Zeralda Hotel, the opening of the works of the forum-workshops on the preparation of the national strategic plan for health in the professional sector 2026-2030, on his behalf, the Minister of Health, in the presence of the representative of the World Health Organization in Algeria, the representative of the International Labor Organization in Algeria, and the representative of the National Agency for Health Security.
At the beginning of his speech on the occasion, the Minister stressed that the issue of health in the professional community is no longer a secondary option, but rather has become a fundamental pillar of public policies, given its direct impact on productivity, quality of performance, and social stability.
The Minister of Health explained that this forum constitutes an important space for exchanging experiences, sharing good practices, discussing current challenges, and exploring prospects for developing mechanisms for prevention and health care for workers.
The Minister also appreciated the efforts made by all actors in this field, stressing the need to continue joint work, strengthen the culture of prevention, and invest in training and awareness, to ensure the protection of workers’ health, improve working conditions, and achieve balanced economic and social development.
In the same context, the Minister of Health stressed that health in the professional community represents a fundamental pillar of public health and human development, and an essential factor for social and economic progress. International experiences, with the support of the World Health Organization and its partners, have proven that preventive investment in occupational health yields tangible benefits, including improving workers’ health, reducing absenteeism from work, enhancing productivity, and strengthening social cohesion.
The Minister also highlighted that health in the professional community is not only limited to preventing occupational accidents, but also includes promoting well-being, preventing chronic diseases, protecting the psychological and physical health of workers, and reducing exposure to chemical, physical and biological risks.
In this context, the Minister of Health emphasized the pivotal role of occupational medicine as an essential tool for prevention, especially in the field of prevention of occupational cancers, through: early assessment of occupational risks, regular medical monitoring of exposed workers, early detection of suspicious cases, follow-up of occupational exposure to carcinogenic substances, and contributing to improving working conditions and reducing risk factors in production places.
The Minister also stressed the strategic role of the health sector in developing and implementing regulatory policies, especially with regard to regulating and monitoring exposure to toxic substances, due to their serious effects on worker health, whether at the nervous, blood, or reproductive levels.
At the conclusion of his speech, the Minister called on all actors to contribute effectively with their expertise, and to work together to formulate practical solutions that contribute to improving working conditions, protecting the health of Algerian workers, and ensuring the sustainability of these gains. He also announced the official opening of the National Forum on Health in the Professional Community, wishing everyone fruitful work and a brilliant success for this national event.
For his part, the representative of the World Health Organization, Dr. Fanuel Habimana, expressed his gratitude for this initiative, which reflects the approach adopted by Algeria in developing its national strategic plan for occupational health and safety for the period 2026-2030, and its commitment to protecting workers’ health, promoting equality, and supporting sustainable development, in accordance with international obligations.
He also highlighted the urgent need to strengthen occupational prevention and health systems in Algeria, by improving data quality, documenting occupational accidents and diseases, and clearly defining national priorities.
Finally, the representative of the World Health Organization stressed that Algeria has special characteristics, and the legal framework is an essential basis for this work.
#Algeria #committed #protecting #workers #health #supporting #sustainable #development
#oussama_boulegheb #elhiwardz #alakhibariat.xyz #elhiwar #elhiwar-en
