Fatima Benchicou

A pioneering Algerian physician who championed healthcare equity during Algeria's colonial and post-independence eras.

Fatima Benchicou (1928–2018) was a trailblazing Algerian medical doctor and activist who dedicated her life to improving healthcare access for marginalized communities. Born in Oran, Algeria, she studied medicine at the University of Algiers and later specialized in obstetrics and gynecology. During Algeria's war of independence (1954–1962), she provided clandestine medical care to wounded fighters and civilians, often at great personal risk. Post-independence, she co-founded the Algerian Red Crescent, a humanitarian organization that expanded healthcare services to rural areas.

Benchicou's advocacy for women's health led to the establishment of Algeria's first maternal and child health centers. She also authored Healthcare in Algeria: A Decolonization of Medicine, a seminal text critiquing colonial healthcare systems. Her work laid the groundwork for modern Algerian public health policies, earning her the National Order of Merit in 1980.