Rabat – Morocco’s Minister of Health and Social Protection, Amine Tahraoui, presented yesterday before the House of Representatives the progress achieved in implementing the Program for the Reduction of Spatial and Social Disparities in Rural Areas within the health sector.
According to Tahraoui, the program has approved a total of 1,816 health-related projects between 2017 and 2023, with an overall investment of MAD 1.7 billion ($165 million).
The National Commission validated the projects for the Development of Rural and Mountainous Areas (CNDERZM) as part of the program’s annual action plans.
The minister reported that 431 construction projects have been completed, representing 79 percent of the total planned operations, while 113 projects are still underway. Additionally, 706 upgrade operations — including extensions, rehabilitation, and facility refurbishments — have been finalized, with another 190 in progress.
In terms of logistics, Tahraoui said that 95% of planned transport units have been acquired, totaling 876 vehicles, among which 648 ambulances, 198 mobile units, and 30 other service vehicles. The remaining 44 units are in the procurement phase.
Expanding hospital capacity
The health sector, Tahraoui noted, continues to witness steady infrastructure growth across Morocco’s regions. A total of 24 hospital projects are currently under construction for the 2025-2026 period, with a combined capacity of 2,273 beds. An additional 20 projects are planned for 2027, expected to add 2,430 beds.
Construction is also moving forward on several major university hospitals. The Laayoune CHU, with a capacity of 500 beds, is scheduled to open before the end of this year. Other facilities under development in Rabat, Beni Mellal, Guelmim, and Errachidia are expected to be completed by 2027, ensuring that each region is equipped with a modern university hospital.
Nationwide rehabilitation effort
In parallel, an emergency operation has been launched to rehabilitate and upgrade 91 hospitals nationwide, part of a broader effort to make Morocco’s healthcare system more efficient and accessible to citizens, particularly in underserved rural areas.
Tahraoui reaffirmed that the momentum in infrastructure development reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to reduce territorial disparities and bring quality healthcare closer to all Moroccans.
While these figures reflect commendable progress on paper, the reality on the ground often tells a different story. In September, eight women died while giving birth at a public hospital in Agadir, which sparked widespread outrage over the state of maternal healthcare in Morocco.
These women are only a few among many victims whose stories never make it to the press, as similar tragedies unfold quietly in other hospitals across the country and show the systemic shortcomings that continue to endanger lives despite years of reform efforts.
The tragedy renewed public debate about the stark gap between policy announcements and the quality of medical services in several public hospitals, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
It also echoed one of the central grievances of the GenZ212 movement, whose nationwide protests have consistently denounced what they describe as a “broken” health system marked by staff shortages, long waiting times, and uneven access to care.
For many citizens, the government´s infrastructure figures matter less than the urgent need to guarantee safety, dignity, and equality in access to medical services.
