Morocco's Social Programs Show Mixed Progress: Housing Aid Reaches 33,000 Families While Healthcare Reimbursements Improve

Tuesday 31 December 2024 - 08:25

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco's Social Programs Show Mixed Progress: Housing Aid Reaches 33,000 Families While Healthcare Reimbursements Improve

Morocco's ambitious social welfare initiatives demonstrated notable progress in late 2024, with the government's direct housing support program benefiting over 33,000 families while healthcare reimbursement processing times continued to improve.

Minister of Economy and Finance Nadia Fettah revealed during a parliamentary session that as of December 27, 33,565 families had received assistance through the housing support initiative. The program has shown significant inclusivity, with women representing 42% of beneficiaries and Moroccans living abroad accounting for 22% of recipients.

The housing support platform has processed 125,280 applications, with 111,569 receiving preliminary approval. The program offers substantial financial assistance, providing up to MAD 100,000 ($9,800) for homes priced at MAD 300,000 ($29,400) or less, and MAD 70,000 ($6,800) for properties valued up to MAD 700,000 ($68,500).

However, parliamentary feedback suggests the program's current outcomes fall short of the government's initial targets. While acknowledging the initiative's positive impact, representatives noted that fundamental housing challenges persist despite the improvements.

On the healthcare front, Fettah reported enhanced efficiency in medical claim processing through the National Social Security Fund (CNSS). Currently, 76% of medical claims are reimbursed within the mandated 60-day period. The average reimbursement timeline has improved from 57 days in 2022 to 54 days in 2023. Notably, 95% of claims for chronic and expensive illnesses are now processed within 30 days.

The minister highlighted that the ongoing integration of CNSS with the National Social Security Fund is expected to further enhance the mandatory health insurance system's performance, ultimately leading to improved services for citizens.

While these developments mark progress in Morocco's social support framework, challenges remain in fully addressing underlying issues in both housing accessibility and healthcare delivery. The government's continued commitment to these initiatives suggests a long-term focus on enhancing citizens' quality of life, though the pace and scope of improvements remain subjects of ongoing discussion.

These programs reflect Morocco's broader efforts to strengthen its social safety net, with both achievements and areas for improvement highlighting the complex nature of implementing comprehensive welfare reforms.