In a significant move to address the demands of medical students, Algerian authorities have announced a breakthrough measure following a month-long strike by medical interns and externs across the country. The decision, announced on Thursday, November 14, 2024, aims to meet their central demand—authenticating their medical diplomas.
A Nationwide Protest for Recognition and Better Training
Conditions
The strike began on October 16, with graduating medical interns and externs from all medical faculties in Algeria walking out in protest. Demonstrations and rallies took place on campuses across the country, drawing attention to several pressing issues facing medical students.
The movement's demands focused on educational and employment-related concerns, including:
Expansion of residency positions.
Enhanced supervision and improved training conditions in university hospital centers (CHUs).
Better post-training employment opportunities.
Above all, lifting the freeze on diploma accreditation by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MESRS).
The freeze on diploma authentication has been a particularly contentious issue, as it was imposed to curb the mass emigration of Algerian-trained doctors to hospitals abroad, primarily in Europe, North America, and the Gulf region. This student-led protest is the largest since the 2018 civil service reform movement.
New Measures Announced for Diploma Verification
Minister of Higher Education Kamel Baddari revealed on Thursday that his ministry had received approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to empower medical faculty deans to engage directly with international bodies regarding the authentication of medical diplomas issued by Algerian universities. This development, announced through Minister Baddari's official Facebook page, is intended to simplify and expedite the diploma verification process for Algerian medical graduates.
"The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research is pleased to inform the deans of medical faculties that it received approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad on November 13, 2024, allowing them to engage directly with international organizations such as the ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates), or similar bodies, for verifying the authenticity of diplomas and teaching documents in the medical sciences issued by Algerian universities," the minister stated.
A Strategic Shift to Address the Doctor Exodus
The announcement follows a suggestion made in October by Abdelouahab Yagoubi, a parliamentarian representing Algerians living abroad. Faced with the large-scale departure of Algeria-trained doctors to other countries, Yagoubi proposed that destination countries contribute to the cost of training these professionals. He cited India's similar approach, which has seen host countries invest in medical training to retain skilled talent.
Minister Baddari acknowledged the complexity of the issue and noted that his department is "considering another strategy" to tackle diploma authentication.
Looking Forward
The government's move is expected to alleviate the frustrations of medical students and may reduce the country's medical brain drain. By allowing medical faculties to engage directly with international bodies, the authorities hope to streamline the diploma verification process and improve the employment prospects of Algerian-trained doctors at home and abroad.
As this new measure is implemented, students, medical professionals, and policymakers will watch closely to see how it impacts Algeria’s healthcare system and the migration patterns of its highly trained doctors. The success of this initiative could pave the way for further reforms aimed at strengthening Algeria's healthcare and educational infrastructure.
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