Algeria Denies Claims of Unpaid Medical Bills to French Hospitals

The French media has once again resorted to spreading unfounded allegations about Algeria’s financial obligations to French hospitals. Despite the claims of unpaid medical bills, Algeria maintains it has honored all of its commitments, transferring substantial sums for medical services provided to Algerian nationals.

Recent articles in the French press have revived the long-debunked issue of an alleged debt owed by Algeria to French hospitals for medical services. These reports continue to falsely claim that Algeria has neglected its payment duties. However, the facts tell a different story.

Between 2010 and 2019, Algeria paid a total of 93.7 million euros in cash to French hospitals under the bilateral social security agreement, covering medical services for Algerian nationals. From 2020 to 2024, this amount increased to over 23 million euros. Despite these payments, the French media persists in pushing a narrative of Algeria owing money, fueled by misinformation.

The controversy escalated when the French media pointed to a debt of 2.5 million euros, citing unpaid hospitalization costs from 2018 to 2024. However, it is not Algeria that is avoiding dialogue on this matter. The French side has been reluctant to convene the Joint Commission, a crucial step in confirming the exact amounts owed, only for services rendered to Algerian citizens.

Algeria has stressed that it is willing to settle its debts, but only those that are directly linked to the care provided to its nationals, under a transparent and agreed-upon framework. It has become evident that some French hospitals have included non-Algerian patients in their "debt books," which distorts the actual debt owed by Algeria. In response, Algeria has taken the measure of no longer referring its nationals to French hospitals for treatment.

Algeria continues to honor its financial commitments with France but rejects the baseless allegations circulated by certain sectors of the French media. The ongoing campaign of misinformation only serves to undermine diplomatic relations and perpetuate false narratives. Algeria’s consistent track record in settling its debts proves its commitment to responsible financial conduct.