The financial support came to uphold Morocco’s ambition to generalize healthcare coverage to reach 80% of the population by 2023.
Rabat – The African Development Bank (AfDB) approved funding of $204 million to improve social protection in Morocco, on Wednesday, December 18.
The main objective of the program is to broaden social protection in Morocco to include people with disabilities, children, and vulnerable women, the AfDB said in a press release.
The program also aims to promote a regional approach to developing more integrated and inclusive social policies.
The initiative also aims to build a regional hospital in Guelmim as well as a specialty hospital in Ouarzazate, each boasting 140 beds.
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Meanwhile, the fund will enable the creation of 144 units specialized in the care of people with specific needs and also improving the infrastructure and equipment of 100 clinics in rural areas. The clinics will be provided with telemedicine equipment allowing for rapid and remote treatment of patients.
Ambitions to achieve 80% of healthcare coverage
The funding aims to support the country’s ambition to drive up the compulsory health insurance coverage rate from 62% in 2018 to more than 80% by 2023.
“We are pleased with the implementation of this program, which will improve the access of millions of Moroccans to basic social services in the most isolated regions,” said the AfDB country manager for Morocco, Leila Farah Mokaddem.
The AfDB financial support will also contribute to the adoption of the initiative called “Green Hospital” aimed at introducing the concept of energy efficiency and generalize the use of renewable energies in healthcare establishments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The project is aligned with the five strategic priorities of the Bank for developing Africa, HIGH 5, including Light up & power Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, and improve the quality of life for the people of Africa.
