The crisis in Morocco’s health sector continues to intensify as medical professionals and students stage protests against the government’s handling of healthcare issues.
On Wednesday, medical professionals held a sit-in in front of Parliament in Rabat, protesting the government’s mismanagement of working conditions and unfulfilled promises regarding healthcare reforms.
Hundreds of demonstrators carried placards and posters, warning against perceived attacks on the “gains made by healthcare staff,” specifically their status as public servants, State management of budget items and salaries, and the preservation of administrative positions as defined by the general civil service statute.
The initially peaceful march escalated when law enforcement officers used water cannons, batons, and verbal confrontations to disperse the crowd.
Videos of the police violence quickly circulated on social media, leading to significant public outrage. Protesters condemned the “excessive use of force,” which resulted in several injuries.
As tensions rose, the march to the parliament building was halted, and angry demonstrators flung water bottles during the melee.
Adding to the turmoil, Morocco’s medical and pharmacy students have been embroiled in a crisis for at least six months. Medical students, who have been on strike for months, face the prospect of a “blank year” after boycotting their final exams a few weeks ago.
Another major point of contention is the government’s decision to reduce the number of years of study from seven to six.
Efforts to resolve the issue were further complicated when students boycotted their spring exams on June 26, resulting in a participation rate of barely 1%, highlighting their strong opposition to the proposed reforms.
In this regard, Higher Education Minister Abdellatif Miraoui and Health Minister Khalid Ait Taleb attended the protests to address the growing discontent.
“We urge students to engage constructively with the reform efforts,” Ait Taleb told the crowd. “As educators, we are dedicated to safeguarding the quality of their education and have addressed concerns about internships.”
He also assured Parliament’s social sector and cultural commissions that the proposed 4+2 system would apply only to new students and pledged to address urgent concerns, restore failing marks, reinstate expelled students, and offer flexible exam scheduling.
Despite these assurances, the National Coordination of Medical Students (CNEM) has organized nationwide protests across medical schools. Starting with a rally in Rabat on July 7, the demonstrations are set to continue in Agadir, Marrakech, Tangier, Casablanca, Fez, and Oujda throughout July.
Meanwhile, during Monday’s oral session before the House of Representatives (Moroccan parliament’s lower house), members of parliament criticized Miraoui’s absence amid the ongoing crisis.
The session chairman confirmed that the Bureau of the House of Representatives had forwarded requests to the government. However, the government’s response starkly contrasted with Miraoui’s pledge: “The government states that it is not ready to react to these demands.”
This unrest occurs as Morocco ranks 86th globally in healthcare for 2023, according to the Legatum Institute. The country faces a chronic shortage of doctors, with only 8 per 10,000 inhabitants, far below the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 15.3 per 10,000 inhabitants.