The Ibn Zohr Hospital in Guelma is the oldest healthcare facility in the town. It was established in 1846 during the French colonial period (1830–1962) as a healthcare facility dedicated to serving European settlers in the region, embodying the racist policies that deprived the local population of basic medical services.
The Hospital before the renovation in 1962
With the outbreak of the Algerian War of Liberation (1954–1962), radical shifts emerged in the healthcare landscape. Mujahideen fighters established clandestine medical networks in remote areas, providing treatment for wounded revolutionaries and civilians, and distributing medicines and first aid through covert tactics to evade colonial forces.
These networks became a symbol of resilience and self-organization amid colonial oppression.
Following independence (1962), the hospital transitioned from a colonial tool to a national institution serving all residents of Guelma.
Today, it is classified as a major healthcare center offering basic diagnostic and surgical services. However, it faces challenges such as a lack of advanced medical equipment and overcrowding due to high demand for healthcare.
This historical sequence reflects the fundamental transformations in Algeria’s healthcare system: from a colonial facility enforcing segregation, to a national institution embodying the policies of an independent state, while highlighting the revolutionary legacy of secret networks as a testament to the people’s sacrifices and their ability to innovate under the harshest conditions.
The Hospital after the renovation in 1962
- Photos 1-3 courtesy of Ibn Zohr Hospital's administration and photos 4-6 by Islam Chergui (February 2025). Main text by Islam Chergui (February 2025)
- Locate the item on this Google Map
Bibliography
- http://dspace.univ-guelma.dz/jspui/handle/123456789/12009 (أثر رقمنة القطاع الصحي على الخدمات الصحية )