According to Fitch Solutions, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region's US$182.9 billion healthcare market is forecast to expand to US$261.1 billion with a 13.6% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) at constant exchange rates through to 2023.
The US$30.5 billion North Africa region will post an 8.7% CAGR through to 2023.
In North Africa, significant efforts are being made since the 80s to develop the healthcare sector, and investments in medical insurance, vaccination, access to water and better nutrition have resulted in the decrease of infant and maternal mortality and longer life expectancy. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the combination of the three factors ‐ namely the ongoing rapid socio‐economic changes, demographic transitions leading to the increase of juvenile population and a population which started ageing (in most North African countries, the proportion of people aged over 60 will jump to 20% within 40 years), and the evolution of lifestyles ‐ has given rise to new patterns of consumption, new diseases, and new needs that will constitute challenges to the countries of the region.
To overcome these new challenges, including those relating to health inequalities, the ECA believes that health systems have to develop a clear vision and strategy, reforms have to be made in order to implement more equitable health funding policies and achieve the universal coverage. Moreover, better advantage should be taken of the potential of the private sector as a support to the public health system.
These reforms also imply that policymakers in the region should tackle the issue of infrastructure and human resources in health sectors (accessibility and proximity of health care, diversification and adaptation of medical specialities
to the new needs, job creation in medical and paramedical sectors, etc.), according to the ECA.
Source: Knoema
Over the past two decades, considerable progress has been made in the coverage and quality of healthcare services in Algeria, with indicators improving steadily, alongside a decline in instances of communicable diseases, according to Oxford Business Group. As a result, the latest figures from WHO show that life expectancy at birth has risen from 68 years in 1995 to 76.4 years as of 2018.
Despite the rise in life expectancy, mortality rates remain relatively high though recent efforts to improve maternal care and paediatrics may see these ease in the years ahead. In addition to the concern about regional disparities in healthcare, Algeria’s increasingly ageing population is seeing a rise in chronic illnesses, particularly diabetes, cancers and cardiovascular diseases.
Healthcare is heavily subsidised in Algeria in line with the introduction of a national health care system in 1975. Most services are free for citizens at public hospitals and clinics, and the cost of most medicinal purchases is reimbursed by the government. While the large majority of health establishments in the country are still entirely subsidised by the government, this is gradually beginning to shift as the private sector grows.
Even though the state is heavily involved in healthcare, there were 8400 private specialist practices and 7000 private generalist practices as of 2015. In recent years a number of private facilities and clinics have opened across the country, both in general and specialised care, while many of the existing private establishments are expanding.
In terms of human resources, the sector is split, with 57% of all registered practitioners working in the public sector and 43% in the private sector as of 2015, according to figures highlighted by Oxford Business Group.
Typically, general practitioners are predominantly in the public sector, while specialists and dentists are split relatively evenly. Conversely, the vast majority of pharmacists work in the private sector.
Transfers of patients abroad have decreased by 90% since 2000, reflecting the considerable improvements that have taken place in the domestic system. However, a large number of Algerians still go abroad for more complex medical treatments. France granted 1600 medical visas for Algerian citizens in 2014, and it is estimated that many more Algerians visiting France on tourist visas seek out medical treatments while there. A sizeable number of Algerian medical tourists also travel to Tunisia, Morocco and Turkey.
According to analysis from Oxford Business Group, overall, health indicators were improving thanks to strategic government planning and continued widespread coverage of health care for citizens. Further, opportunities for
private sector growth and investment are strong, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry; however, finalising reforms and addressing persistent concerns of stakeholders will be key to ensuring targeted progress takes place.
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