Addressing Morocco's Healthcare Crisis: Tackling Doctor Drain as 700 Migrate Annually

Monday 19 February 2024 - 09:13

Morocco is grappling with a healthcare crisis as it witnesses the departure of between 600 to 700 doctors annually due to migration, as highlighted by Minister of Equipment, Nizar Baraka. Addressing party members in Azilal, Baraka sounded the alarm, revealing that the nation faces a shortage of 30,000 doctors, while simultaneously witnessing a decline in the attractiveness of the public healthcare sector.

The Court of Audit's 2021 report further accentuates the severity of the situation, indicating that Morocco's healthcare worker ratio stands at 1.64 per 1,000 residents, significantly below the UN's standard of 4.45 for sustainable development. Although there has been a marginal improvement in overall numbers, rising from 15.1 to 16.4 workers per 10,000 people between 2011 and 2020, this growth is primarily attributed to the expansion of the private sector, while the number of public doctors has decreased from 3.6 to 3.3.

The Ministry of Health attributes the exodus of doctors to the lack of appeal within the public healthcare system. Moreover, the uneven distribution of healthcare professionals exacerbates the issue, with regions like Guelmim-Oued-Noun and Dakhla-Ouad-Dahab experiencing increases of 79% and 158% respectively, while Rabat-Sale-Kenitra and Beni-Mellal-Khenifra witness drops of 7% and 3%.

Without decisive action to curb emigration and address regional disparities, Morocco risks losing its medical expertise. It is imperative to attract and retain healthcare professionals, particularly in underserved areas, to enhance accessibility and achieve development targets. The sustainability of the nation's healthcare system hinges on tackling the underlying factors driving doctors abroad and prioritizing the viability of the public sector.