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Join on Telegram Rabat – In response to widespread protests and boycotts by medical students across Morocco, the government has announced an increase in compensation for sixth-year medical students pursuing a Doctor of Medicine (MD), equivalent to the compensation for the final year under the previous system.
However, both Ministries of Health and Higher Education reaffirmed their decision to maintain the six-year medical program. The decision comes after students voiced their concerns over the reduction of study years from seven to six and the overall quality of education and training.
The government reached the decision following a meeting held on Thursday, attended by representatives from both ministries, deans of faculties of medicine and pharmacy, and student representatives. The meeting aimed to assess the current state of the sector.
Both ministries emphasized that the duration of study for MD programs is fixed at six years, under Ministerial Decision No. 2175.22 issued on August 4, 2022.
Regarding the employment of MD graduates, the two ministries said they can work in Regional Health Groups without any commitment, allowing them to continue or resign from their positions without constraints.
They added that reforms to the curriculum for specialized training in medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry are set to be implemented by January 2025, maintaining both the internal and residency tracks.
Agreements were also made to standardize the legal status of resident doctors, reducing the commitment period from eight to three years for the 2025 cohort onwards.
Residents who complete their commitment period will have the option to continue working upon request and receive a monthly salary equivalent to the specified rate and other benefits outlined in the healthcare employment law.
Additionally, plans were outlined to designate hospital training sites through joint regional committees for coordinating healthcare training and to increase the number of financial positions allocated for residency exams during the transitional year of January 2026.
Read also: Moroccan Healthcare in Crisis as Students, Professionals Join Nationwide Protests
Both ministries reiterated their commitment to finalizing the pedagogical reforms for specialized training in coordination with faculty deans and higher education professors through the National Union of Higher Education and its structures.
Since December 2023, medical and pharmacy students across Morocco have been boycotting classes, training, and exams, citing ongoing grievances concerning the quality of education and training.
Protests at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy in Rabat, January 2024.
Abderahman Bouhsiss, the representative of third-year students at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy in Rabat, spoke with Morocco World News earlier this month to express students’ concerns and demands.
The primary issue revolves around their rejection of government reforms, particularly the decision to reduce medical education from seven to six years. Despite rescheduled exams and council meetings at various faculties, the boycott persisted as students felt their demands remained unaddressed.
The agreement made with the government in December was perceived by students as filled with “empty promises,” leading to further disappointment and frustration, Bouhsiss told MWN.
In addition, students raised concerns regarding the lack of clarity on restructuring the third cycle of medical studies and its impact on the quality of education.
Overcrowding in classes and hospitals, along with delays in fulfilling government commitments, also contributed to student discontent. While recognizing the need to increase the doctor workforce, students emphasized the importance of maintaining quality training.
Medical students have organized nationwide protests to urge the government to address these issues and resume negotiations with the ministries of health and higher education.
