Morocco expands rural healthcare projects but faces persistent challenges

Tuesday 28 October 2025 - 16:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco expands rural healthcare projects but faces persistent challenges

Morocco’s Minister of Health and Social Protection, Amine Tahraoui, has highlighted progress in rural healthcare under the National Program for the Reduction of Spatial and Social Disparities. Speaking before the House of Representatives, Tahraoui detailed investments and achievements in health infrastructure, equipment, and services aimed at bridging the gap between urban and rural areas.

Significant investments and project milestones

Between 2017 and 2023, Morocco approved 1,816 health-related projects, with an investment of MAD 1.7 billion ($165 million). Of these, 431 construction projects, 79% of planned operations, are now complete, while 113 remain underway. Additionally, 706 healthcare facilities have undergone upgrades, including extensions and refurbishments, with 190 projects still in progress.

The program’s logistics have also seen significant advances. As of now, 95% of the planned 876 transport units have been delivered, including 648 ambulances, 198 mobile medical units, and 30 service vehicles. Forty-four more units are in the procurement phase.

Hospital capacity expansion and new medical facilities

Infrastructure growth is central to the government’s strategy to improve healthcare access across Morocco’s regions. According to Tahraoui, 24 hospital projects, with a combined capacity of 2,273 beds, are currently under construction and scheduled for completion between 2025 and 2026. Plans for 20 additional hospitals by 2027 aim to add 2,430 more beds.

Several university hospitals are also under development, designed to provide advanced medical services to previously underserved areas. The Laayoune University Hospital (CHU), with a capacity of 500 beds, is set to open by the end of this year. Additional facilities in Rabat, Beni Mellal, Guelmim, and Errachidia are expected to be completed by 2027, further decentralizing access to specialized care.

Nationwide hospital rehabilitation

In a parallel effort, the government has launched an emergency operation to rehabilitate and upgrade 91 hospitals nationwide. These upgrades aim to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of Morocco’s healthcare system, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Tahraoui emphasized that the government’s commitment to reducing territorial disparities reflects a broader vision of bringing quality healthcare closer to all citizens. However, significant challenges remain.

Gaps between progress and reality

Despite these advancements, recent incidents have underscored the systemic shortcomings of Morocco’s healthcare system. In September, eight women died during childbirth at a public hospital in Agadir, sparking outrage over the state of maternal care. This tragedy reignited debates about the disconnect between policy achievements and the quality of on-the-ground medical services, particularly in rural areas.

The incident also highlighted ongoing grievances voiced by the GenZ212 movement, whose protests have condemned staff shortages, long waiting times, and unequal access to care. Activists describe Morocco’s healthcare system as “broken,” demanding urgent reforms to prioritize safety, dignity, and equality in medical services.

For many Moroccans, the government’s infrastructure statistics are less important than the immediate need to ensure reliable and dignified healthcare for all, especially in rural communities where disparities remain stark.