Algeria

Key Results in 2022-2023

HIV and hepatitis C prevention and testing services were scaled up for people who inject drugs, including with the introduction of opioid agonist therapy (OAT) in 2022.
Integration of vertical transmission of HIV and primary healthcare services benefited thousands of pregnant women, including among refugee populations.
Inclusive government policies, procurement of medical equipment and stronger collaboration with civil society organizations expanded HIV, sexually transmitted infections and gender-based violence services in humanitarian settings.
New social contracting guidelines and stronger partnerships between the Government and nongovernmental organizations allow to scale up community-led HIV services predominantly among key populations.

Joint Programme Results

The Joint Programme continued to support Algeria in scaling up equitable access to HIV, prevention, treatment and support services among vulnerable and key populations. For instance, more than 200 people who inject drugs and people living with HIV were sensitized on risk-reduction and HIV testing, and sterile injecting equipment was distributed to people who inject drugs using social network groups. In addition, people living with HIV and people who inject drugs accessed HIV and hepatitis C prevention and testing and other services through the Joint Programme’s support to three civil society organizations in Algiers, Annaba and Oran cities (UNODC, UNAIDS Secretariat).

In 2022, Algeria introduced its first OAT programme to scale up harm reduction services and reduce the risk of HIV and hepatitis C infections among people who use or inject drugs. Thanks to the Joint Programme’s support, the Ministry of Health developed national guidelines for methadone agonist treatment, the National Drug and Harm Reduction Strategy, and standard operating procedures as well as a monitoring and evaluation system for OAT. As a result, around 300 people who inject drugs accessed OAT from five newly established drop-in centres. Meanwhile, 50 medical professionals improved their knowledge on psychosocial support service delivery for people who use drugs enrolled on OAT through a workshop organized with the Directorate-General for Health Prevention and Promotion. Civil society organizations provided outreach harm reduction services thanks to the donation of harm reduction kits and condoms (UNODC).

A total of 2184 people improved their understanding of HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health services through community outreach and information sessions. Additionally, 10 civil society organizations working with young people were empowered to promote healthy behaviour and sexual and reproductive health (UNFPA). 

HIV incidence per 1000 uninfected populations

Source: AIDSinfo

AIDS mortality per 1000 population

Source: AIDSinfo

Progress towards 95-95-95 targets

Source: AIDSinfo

Integration of prevention of vertical transmission of HIV and primary healthcare services expanded access to HIV testing and treatment services among pregnant women, including refugee women in Algeria. Besides, the Government updated the national protocol for the clinical management of rape and gender-based violence cases. Gender-based violence services, including post-exposure prophylaxis, emergency contraception and wound care were also made available to refugees who survived violence, thanks to the sustained advocacy and support from the Joint Programme. All 8300 refugee women who attended antenatal care consultations were tested for HIV (UNHCR).

HIV and other sexually transmitted infection services have improved in humanitarian settings due to inclusive government policies and stronger collaboration with civil society organizations. For instance, 2239 refugees and asylum seekers accessed community-based HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health services, of whom 607 people received HIV testing and those found positive were linked to treatment services. Information materials and male condoms were also distributed to 4200 refugees and asylum seekers (UNHCR, UNAIDS Secretariat). In five regions, 112 healthcare professionals, community leaders and civil society representatives working in humanitarian settings gained better knowledge on HIV and health issues. The Joint Programme further donated two fully equipped mobile clinics increasing access to HIV testing, care and treatment services (IOM).

Thanks to technical support from the Joint Programme, new social contracting guidelines are available for stronger partnerships between the Government and nongovernmental organizations and channelling public funding to scale up community-led services and reinforce the country’s transition plan to domestic funding for the HIV response. A new study has been launched to map civil society organizations working on HIV and evaluate the impact of their services among vulnerable and key populations, including people living with HIV and people who inject drugs. Evidence from this study will inform advocacy for scaling up social contracting. Finally, Algerian delegates learned from the experience of Eastern Europe and Central Asia in implementing social contracting during an interregional consultation with support from the Joint Programme (UNDP).

Over US$3 million was successfully mobilized from the Global Fund to scale up the national HIV response in 2024-2026, thanks to strategic support from the Joint Programme including close collaboration with civil society organizations.