Rabat – The Moroccan Center for Human Rights has addressed a letter to the Minister of Health, Houcine El Ouardi, calling for the provision of anti-scorpion vaccines, following a number of deaths and injuries, especially in the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region.
The center explained in a statement that the decline in the use of vaccines in Morocco has contributed significantly to the increase in the number of deaths among victims of scorpion stings.
The center added that multiple children under the age of 15 have died in villages after being stung by scorpions.
“Many cases could not be saved due to the depletion of stocks of vaccines at the health centers, which led to the loss of the lives of citizens, particularly children,” read the statement.
“In order to avoid further casualties, we urge you [Minister of Health] to work on ensuring the availability of scorpion and snake vaccines throughout all hospitals and health centers in the Kingdom.”
“We also ask you to work on a policy of supplying vaccines to the hospitals by reopening the production of unit Serum p Pasteur Institute, which has previously been suspended, to rescue victims of scorpion stings,” recommended the statement.
The center went on to criticize the condition of the medical assistance given to people stung by scorpions and snakes.
“The ambulances that do not have the necessary equipment for first aid. They’re often driven by unqualified drivers, unable to provide first aid. The ambulances are not assisted by to nurses, which poses a critical risk to the lives of patients.”
