Public Health Spending in Algeria in Light of the Covid-19 Crises, Reality and Prospects

Abstract

The spread of Covid-19 has led to a collapse in oil prices, resulting in a drop in the revenues of public budget, which is dependent on fuel exports. This has been reflected in the financing of the health sector, which is considered to be a sensitive sector with expenses that account for a significant part of the general budget. This is why the Government has to search for actions to support spending on health. This study aims to identify the reality of health spending in Algeria and highlight the necessary mechanisms to support health spending in response to the consequences of the Covid-19. The study concluded that financial reform should be pursued based on reviewing the policy of spending on the health sector based solely on rebalancing, and implementation of a contracting system between health institutions and social security institutions. and the need to reform the health system to contain the increasing costs, avoid waste of public money by strengthening surveillance procedures and adopting a system for measuring and analyzing the costs of the health sector.