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Morocco Halts Nurse Exodus: Requests Canada to Cease Recruitment Amid Healthcare Crisis
In a significant move to address its growing healthcare workforce shortage, Morocco has officially asked Canada to exclude Moroccan nurses from its international recruitment campaigns starting in the second quarter of 2024. This decision comes as the North African nation grapples with a severe lack of medical professionals and ongoing protests in the healthcare sector.
A spokesperson from Canada's Ministry of Immigration and Integration confirmed the request, stating, "Morocco has asked us to exclude state nurses from our recruitment activities beginning in the second quarter of 2024, a directive we've respected." The spokesperson also noted that several other African countries have made similar appeals to Canada.
The primary reasons cited for this request include the high costs associated with training healthcare professionals and the inability to meet local demand due to workforce shortages. Morocco's ambassador to Canada, Souriya Otmani, highlighted the scale of the issue, revealing that "hundreds, even thousands" of Moroccan nurses leave the country each year for opportunities in Canada, Europe, or Arab nations.
The severity of Morocco's healthcare workforce deficit is stark. In 2021, Morocco's Health Minister Khalid Ait Tale reported that the country urgently needed an additional 32,000 doctors and 65,000 nurses to strengthen its health sector. A recent report by CEOWorld magazine ranked Morocco 45th out of 193 countries in terms of the need for more nurses per 10,000 population.
Compounding the problem is the unequal distribution of healthcare professionals across Morocco's regions. Major urban areas such as Casablanca-Settat, Fez-Meknes, and Rabat-Sale Kenitra have a higher concentration of health workers, while northern and southern regions face significant shortages. This disparity has led Morocco's National Human Rights Council to conclude that the country is not yet in a position to guarantee health security to all its citizens.
The healthcare crisis has sparked numerous protests, including ongoing demonstrations by medical students who are calling for reforms in their education and training. These students are particularly concerned about the government's decision to reduce the duration of medical studies from seven to six years.
As Morocco takes steps to retain its healthcare professionals, the country faces the challenging task of balancing immediate workforce needs with long-term healthcare system improvements. The government's request to Canada marks a significant effort to stem the outflow of vital medical personnel and address the pressing healthcare needs of its population.