Healthcare Reform in Morocco: Progress and Key Challenges
While Morocco’s healthcare system continues to face intense pressures—territorial disparities, shortages of human resources, and overcrowded public facilities—Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch presented a first progress report on the ongoing reform during a parliamentary session on July 7.
Launched in 2021, this ambitious initiative revolves around three main pillars: the expansion of universal health coverage, the modernization of healthcare infrastructure, and the strengthening of human capital. It is portrayed by the government as a lever for sustainable transformation. While the announcements reflect a clear political will, their implementation raises questions about the actual impact on access, equity, and system performance.
Key Measures Announced
- Increased Health Budget: The health sector budget rose significantly from MAD 19.7 billion in 2021 to MAD 32.6 billion in 2025—a 65% increase, equating to around MAD 885 per capita. This figure remains modest compared to regional standards: Tunisia spends about MAD 2,900 per capita, Egypt MAD 2,100, while Senegal aligns more closely with Morocco at around MAD 775.
- Modernization of Local Health Centers: Backed by a MAD 6.4 billion budget, the government launched a large-scale modernization plan targeting 1,400 local health centers nationwide. As of today, 949 centers have already been refurbished.
- Construction of University Hospitals in Every Region: To reduce regional disparities in access to specialized care, the government plans to establish a university hospital (CHU) in every major region. Projects are already underway in Agadir, Laâyoune, Guelmim, Béni Mellal, and Errachidia—contributing to a more balanced national healthcare network.
- Strengthening Human Resources: The government aims to recruit over 90,000 healthcare professionals by 2026. The long-term goal is to reach a ratio of 45 healthcare workers per 10,000 inhabitants by 2030, up from 24 in 2025—aligning Morocco with international standards.
- Reform of Medical Education: To meet workforce needs, a structural reform of medical training has been initiated. Medical schools are expected to accommodate up to 7,543 students by 2027, and the duration of medical studies has been reduced from 7 to 6 years.
- Digitalization of Healthcare: The reform includes greater integration of digital health solutions—such as shared electronic medical records, telemedicine, and hospital management systems. Legal frameworks are also evolving to better protect personal health data, notably through Law 09-08.
An Ambitious Reform Facing Political and Social Concerns
Despite the scale of the initiatives, the reform continues to face criticism, particularly from opposition parties, who highlight a persistent gap between government announcements and on-the-ground implementation.
Concerns include the slow pace of effective universal coverage rollout—only around 30% of the population is actively contributing—as well as continued disparities in access, especially in remote areas.
Other critiques raise the risk of a two-tier healthcare system, with the rapid expansion of the private sector potentially undermining the already strained public system. Parliamentary groups have also flagged the limited coverage for serious illnesses, such as cancer, and the difficulties in establishing family medicine practices.
Strategic Recommendations to Anchor the Reform
- Accelerate Territorial Governance of Health
The success of the reform depends on effectively decentralizing healthcare management. Regions must be granted real decision-making power, along with appropriate budgets, technical skills, and operational autonomy tailored to local realities. - Implement Public, Transparent Performance Indicators
To track reform progress, the government should regularly publish clear dashboards on key performance metrics (effective coverage, access times, occupancy rates, patient satisfaction, etc.). This would build citizen trust and ensure meaningful accountability. - Enhance the Attractiveness of the Public Health Sector
Attracting and retaining health professionals in the public sector is crucial. This requires improving working conditions, offering competitive compensation (including performance-based pay), and enabling more flexible career management. - Regulate the Private Sector to Avoid a Two-Tier System
While the growth of the private sector is inevitable, it must complement—not replace—the public system. Regulation, pricing agreements, and quality control mechanisms are needed to prevent deepening inequalities. - Ensure an Inclusive Reform Grounded in User Realities
Health reform must address the real needs of the population, especially in rural areas. Regular citizen consultations, mechanisms to collect feedback, and better visibility of healthcare rights (including digital platforms) are essential.
Conclusion
The government’s healthcare reform marks a significant turning point—but it remains suspended between ambition and execution. While resources have been mobilized, persistent gaps in access, equity, and governance call into question the reform’s true impact.
The real challenge now is to make the reform both equitable and sustainable.
