Morocco’s Healthcare Budget Set at $2.6 Billion in 2023

Morocco’s spending on healthcare and social security is set to reach MAD 28 billion ($2.6 billion) in 2023, marking an annual increase of MAD 4.6 billion ($418 million).

Rabat – Morocco’s spending on healthcare and social security is set to reach MAD 28 billion ($2.6 billion) in 2023, marking an annual increase of MAD 4.6 billion ($418 million).

While introducing the 2023 draft budget bill in parliament yesterday, Morocco’s Economy and Finance Minister Nadia Fettah Alaoui, noted that the bulk of the budget increase would go to reforming the national healthcare enterprise.

Over the course of 2023, the government is set to create 5500 new jobs within the sector. The minister further mentioned that the 2023 state budget would allocate MAD 5.1 billion ($463 million) to raising salaries for workers within the healthcare sector.

Regarding the country’s healthcare infrastructure, the minister revealed that the government is planning to inaugurate a number of healthcare facilities across the country to guarantee equitable access to healthcare services. The list of new facilities includes hospitals in Kenitra, Ifrane, and Hoceima.

Under the 2023 state budget, the government equally pledged to open three university hospitals in Errachidia, Guelmim, and Beni Mellal.

During the presentation, the minister further explained that “to ensure hospitals are adequately supplied with medications, the 2023 state budget allocates MAD 2 billion to stock national hospitals.”

The 2023 budget also includes plans to scrap taxes on a wide range of medications especially those used for treating chronic diseases. In addition, the government would gradually raise taxes on sugar-intensive products to preserve the health of citizens.

In terms of social security, the minister stated that the government is working to implement a plan to support seven million disadvantaged children, as well as three million vulnerable families.

The government will also extend healthcare plans to close to four million vulnerable families by covering registration costs, with MAD 5.9 billion ($536 million) being allocated for the plan.