Morocco expands healthcare with 49 new centers amid youth protests
Morocco’s Ministry of Health has announced the inauguration of 49 new urban and rural health centers across nine regions, a significant step in the nation’s efforts to reform its healthcare system. The move follows His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s directives to modernize public services and address disparities in healthcare access.
The announcement comes amidst escalating youth protests demanding urgent reforms in the healthcare and education sectors. The demonstrations, which began in Agadir after the deaths of eight pregnant women due to complications from cesarean surgeries, have also highlighted broader socio-economic grievances, including the country’s unemployment rate of 13.3%.
Major healthcare expansion
The new health centers are part of the government’s broader initiative to rehabilitate primary healthcare facilities nationwide. This includes the modernization and reconstruction of 1,400 centers across all provinces. To support the initiative, the Ministry of Health has deployed 230 healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and technicians, to serve local populations.
By region, the expansion includes:
Souss-Massa region: Six new health centers in Taroudant (5) and Tiznit (1).
Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region: Two new centers in Rabat.
Draa-Tafilalt region: Two centers in Tinghir.
Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region: A new dispensary in Laayoune.
Marrakech-Safi region: Eleven centers spread across Marrakech, Essaouira, and Al Haouz.
Béni Mellal-Khénifra region: Five centers in Khénifra, Béni Mellal, and Khouribga.
Casablanca-Settat region: Eight centers in Nouaceur, Mohammedia, and Settat.
Oriental region: Ten centers, including eight in Nador, one in Driouch, and one in Figuig-Bouarfa.
Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima region: Four centers in Al Hoceima and Tangier-Assilah.
Long-term investments in public health
His Majesty King Mohammed VI recently emphasized the importance of accountability and equitable access to public services during his address to Parliament. He also chaired a ministerial council where a draft law was reviewed, allocating MAD 140 billion ($15 billion) to the health and education sectors in 2026. The plan includes the creation of 27,000 new positions and significant investments in healthcare infrastructure.
Key projects under the healthcare budget include the inauguration of new University Hospital Centers in Agadir and Laayoune, the completion of the Ibn Sina Hospital in Rabat, and ongoing construction in Beni Mellal, Guelmim, and Errachidia.
These measures aim to reduce regional disparities in healthcare access and improve Morocco’s overall healthcare system, aligning with the government’s vision of a more equitable and sustainable future.
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