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Rabat – Morocco has allegedly ranked a low on Health Care Index from the global database website, Numbeo.
The ranking listed Morocco last on the list in terms of health care. Venezuela and Iraq ranked 88th and 87th, respectively.
South Africa tops the list in Africa as it ranks 49, followed by Tunisia 59th, and Algeria 68th.
In addition to the ranking, Numbeo also shared the findings of a survey, which studied Moroccans’ reactions to health care in Morocco.
The survey shows that people have low confidence on speed in completing examinations and reports at Moroccan health centers. Moroccans are also not satisfied with “friendliness and courtesy of the staff” and with “responsive in medical institutions”, and cost to the patient.
The survey, however, is made through the contribution of 120 people, which raises questions about the reliability of Numbeo.
Reliable ranking?
While the Moroccan government has acknowledged the deficiencies in the health sector, several reports have listed Morocco higher than several Arab and African countries.
In 2018, Morocco ranked 103rd at the Legatum Prosperity Index. The index showed that Morocco dropped 15 places on health, but listed Morocco ahead of several other countries, including Senegal, Zambia, Guinea, and South Africa.
Morocco also positioned itself in a significant spot on the Overall Best Countries ranking in 2019. The ranking listed Morocco as the 42nd out of 80.
Morocco also ranked 29 in the 2018 World Health Organization’s Ranking of the World’s Health Systems. Morocco was listed ahead of Canada 30, Finland 31st, and Australia 32nd.
The Health Assessment Questionnaire without Disability Index in 2018 also ranked Morocco in 112th place. The report measures the health system performance for 191 countries. The list shows Morocco ahead of several countries, including Palestine, Paraguay, Cape Verde, Nigeria, South Africa, and Mongolia.
Health crisis
In 2018, President of the Court of Auditors Driss Jettou submitted a report to King Mohammed VI on the government’s performance in implementing social programs and reforms.
The report found several irregularities in the health sector.
Jettou also shared alarming loopholes in medical services, such as the lack of specialized doctors and specialized medical services.
Read Also: Public Doctors Condemn Health Sector Problems, Threaten to Emigrate
The situation led King Mohammed VI to address Morocco’s health care issues in several events and speeches.
In April, the King said that “reforming the primary health care system should be one of the main pillars of this drive, together with the Kingdom of Morocco’s commitment to press ahead with efforts to achieve universal health coverage by 2030.”
In response, the government promised to give more priority to supporting social policies and reducing social and spatial disparities in the 2020 budget draft bill.
Saad Eddine El Othmani, Head of Government earlier this month emphasized the importance of improving and generalizing health care services, guaranteeing citizens access to quality services and ensuring conditions that preserve their dignity.
The crisis in the health sector led to protests by doctors and medical students throughout the year.
Last week, the Independent Union of Public Sector Physicians (SIMSP) called for public doctors to strike, continuing the crisis in Morocco’s medical sector.
The doctors protested against the lack of working conditions in the public sector and for an increase in wages.
