Rheumatic Diseases in Algeria

Algeria is the largest country in Africa, the Arab world, and the Mediterranean basin. The Algerian health system is ranked fourth in Africa, behind Nigeria, Tunisia, and South Africa. Although the burden of rheumatic diseases has been well documented globally and widely presented at scientific events, data from Algeria remain limited. This limits the visibility of national progress in rheumatology care, service development, and rheumatologist training. This chapter aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the healthcare system, with a specific focus on rheumatology practice. It will explore various rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and osteoarthritis, through a review of several Algerian publications and local data presented at scientific events. Throughout this chapter, we will present a detailed report on the progress and stages involved in the diagnosis and therapeutic management of rheumatic diseases. Ultimately, the authors propose a strategic action plan to improve the management of rheumatic diseases in Algeria in the coming years.