Terminal Illness & End-of-Life Planning in Algeria: 5-Step Official Checklist

1. 1

   Coordinating palliative care, home hospitalization, and medical coverage

   The immediate priority is organizing multidisciplinary medical follow-up and effective pain and symptom management through healthcare facilities under the Ministry of Health [1] [3].

   • Referral to supportive care and pain management units: The specialist physician or treating oncologist at a University Hospital Center (CHU) or Anti-Cancer Center (CAC) supervised by the Ministry of Health establishes the palliative care and analgesia protocol tailored to the progression of the illness [1].
   • Home hospitalization (HAD) and community healthcare: Where clinically appropriate and when the patient wishes to remain at home, the hospital department or the Public Community Health Facility (EPSP) can coordinate nursing care, oxygen therapy equipment, and medical visits at home [1].
   • Full coverage and Chifa Card (Carte Chifa): Promptly verify the activation or renewal of long-term illness (ALD) coverage with the National Social Insurance Fund for Salaried Workers or, for self-employed individuals, with the National Social Security Fund for Non-Salaried Workers to ensure 100% coverage of prescribed medications and medical devices through the Chifa Card [3] [4].
2. 2

   Recording medical wishes and designating a primary family representative

   While your family member is fully able to express their choices, it is essential to document care preferences and clearly identify the primary family spokesperson for the healthcare team [1].

   • Advance discussions with the treating physician and medical file entry: Under patient informed-consent principles within the health framework overseen by the Ministry of Health, the ill person can state in writing their preferences regarding invasive treatments, repeated hospitalizations, and priority pain relief so that these instructions are entered into their medical record [1].
   • Designating a family spokesperson for the medical team: It is strongly advisable to designate in writing an adult family member as the primary contact for the hospital department to centralize medical updates and assist with therapeutic decisions if the patient becomes unable to communicate [1].
   • Keeping a complete medical folder at home: Maintain an accessible folder at home containing hospital discharge summaries, analgesic prescriptions, the care protocol, and contact details for the treating department to guide on-call doctors or Civil Protection emergency teams [1].
3. 3

   Executing notarial and bank powers of attorney while legal capacity is intact

   To prevent any freeze or disruption in managing everyday accounts or property, powers of attorney must be signed while the ill person retains full mental faculties [2].

   • General or special notarial power of attorney (Wakala): Under Algerian law, any adult with full civil capacity may appear before a civil-law notary (or request that the notary attend their home or hospital) to execute an authentic power of attorney governed by the Civil Code under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice [2]. The notary personally verifies the principal's mental capacity and specifies the scope of authority granted to the representative (administrative management, collection of pensions, property administration) [2].
   • Bank mandates and Algérie Poste (CCP) authorizations: Algerian commercial banks and Algérie Poste frequently require mandates to be recorded on their own internal forms or via a specific notarial deed explicitly citing the account number. Complete this formality promptly at the bank branch or post office so that household and medical expenses can be paid without interruption [2].
   • Judicial protective measures if capacity is lost: If decision-making capacity were lost before a power of attorney was signed, a notary could no longer execute a mandate; the family would then need to petition the family affairs judge at the competent court under the Ministry of Justice for legal guardianship [2].
4. 4

   Activating disability benefits, third-party assistance, and social rights

   A serious illness resulting in inability to work or loss of autonomy entitles insured persons to specific benefits from Algerian social security institutions [3] [4].

   • Long-term sickness allowances and disability pension: For a salaried employee, the medical file is submitted to the medical board of the National Social Insurance Fund for Salaried Workers to claim long-term daily sickness allowances (for up to three years) or transition to an invalidity pension [3]. For a self-employed member, applications for disability or incapacity pensions are processed by the National Social Security Fund for Non-Salaried Workers [4].
   • Supplement for third-party assistance: When the health condition of a disability pensioner requires constant assistance from another person to perform ordinary activities of daily living, a specific supplement for third-party assistance can be requested upon approval by the medical adviser of the National Social Insurance Fund for Salaried Workers [3].
   • Pension liquidation and workplace arrangements for caregivers: Depending on age and contribution years, check whether pension liquidation or career record updates are advisable with the relevant funds, and notify the employers of family caregivers to request statutory special family leave or schedule adjustments [3] [4].
5. 5

   Advance review of civil status records, property titles, and testamentary provisions

   Organizing family and property records in advance spares relatives lengthy judicial rectification proceedings later [2] [5] [6].

   • Checking consistency across civil status records: Verify now that the family book, birth record (specifically the 12S birth certificate), and marriage records contain no spelling errors or omissions in the municipal registers under the Ministry of the Interior, Local Authorities and National Planning [5] [6]. Any discrepancy in names or dates is far easier to rectify during the person's lifetime [5] [6].
   • Testamentary dispositions (Wassiya) and property deeds before a notary: In accordance with the Algerian Family Code, an ill person with full legal capacity may consult a notary under the Ministry of Justice to draw up a testamentary deed (Wassiya, within the statutory limit of one-third of the estate for non-heirs or in accordance with applicable statutory rules) and verify real estate ownership titles (land book and notarial deeds) [2].
   • Asset inventory and cross-border coordination: Prepare an accurate inventory of bank accounts, postal accounts (CCP), insurance policies, and real property [2]. If family members reside abroad or assets are located outside Algeria, consult a notary to prepare the necessary consular powers of attorney and civil status documentation [2] [5].

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   Hospital Facilities and Healthcare Organization in Algeria — Ministère de la Santé
2. [2]
   Judicial Services, Notarial Practice, and Legal Protection — Ministère de la Justice - République Algérienne Démocratique et Populaire
3. [3]
   Health Insurance, Invalidity, and Social Benefits for Salaried Workers (CNAS) — Caisse Nationale des Assurances Sociales des Travailleurs Salariés
4. [4]
   Social Benefits, Invalidity, and Retirement for Non-Salaried Workers (CASNOS) — Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale des Non-Salariés
5. [5]
   Civil Status: Procedures and Municipal Registers in Algeria — Ministère de l'Intérieur, des Collectivités Locales et de l'Aménagement du Territoire
6. [6]
   Electronic Civil Registry Services and Administrative Documents — Ministère de l'Intérieur, des Collectivités Locales et de l'Aménagement du Territoire