Health ministry tightens patient transfer rules, requires reasons for refusal

Algeria's Ministry of Health has tightened the rules for moving patients between public hospitals, requiring clear reasons for any refusal to admit a patient.

For patients and families, this means a hospital that refuses a transfer must give clear reasons. A bed shortage in one department alone cannot be a reason to refuse a patient without first studying the hospital's overall admission capacity.

Awras reported the memo, numbered 02 and dated 27 October 2026. Health Minister Mohamed Seddik Aït Messaoudene sent it to directors of health and population and to heads of public health institutions.

The memo says the sending hospital must first confirm that there is a medical reason for a transfer. It must also get the receiving hospital's agreement in advance, prepare the patient and arrange secure medical transport.

Receiving hospitals must study transfer requests that fall within their remit, based on the medical information given. They must reply as soon as possible and give clear reasons if they refuse a case.

The memo gives directors of health and population the job of coordinating between hospitals. They must hold regular meetings to make it easier to admit cases where the needed resources are available, including with hospitals in other wilayas.

The memo also calls on university hospital services to help with complex cases from across the country. It says their multi-specialty staff, experience and technical platforms can help, within their own tasks and available resources.

Every public health institution must also appoint a permanent officer. This person will ease coordination and the exchange of information about patient transfers and admissions.

Where necessary, the General Directorate of Health Services and Hospital Reform and the Directorate of Information Systems and Computing will set out how these measures are to be applied.