Rabat – Amid growing unrest in Morocco’s public health sector, doctors have announced a nationwide strike for December 4 and 5, marking the third consecutive week of protests as tensions continue to escalate.
Led by the National Commission of Interns and Residents (CNIR), the strike will disrupt most medical services, with exceptions made for emergency, intensive care, and on-call units to ensure critical care continues.
The union has condemned the government for its systemic neglect, detrimental reforms, and failure to address long-standing demands, all of which it argues jeopardize the stability of the healthcare system.
A sector in crisis
Doctors are protesting a series of policy changes they argue undermine their rights and threaten the future of public healthcare.
Central to their concerns is a proposed statutory framework that, the union claims, removes essential protections for doctors, grants excessive power to administrators, and weakens the guarantees for public servants.
Union leaders contend that these reforms pave the way for arbitrary dismissals, create uncertainty around career advancement, and impose salary caps that exclude healthcare workers from the raises given to other public sector employees.
They argue these measures are damaging morale and driving experienced professionals out of the public sector.
Additionally, the union notes unresolved issues, such as the lack of financial recognition for medical specialties and delayed workplace reforms. They lament the fact that long-standing promises, including the introduction of additional professional grades and salary increases, have yet to be fulfilled.
Doctors ramp up protest measures amid unresolved demands
The union has expanded its protest actions to target both healthcare services and administrative functions:
– Workplace standards enforcement: doctors will rigorously adhere to medical and safety protocols, providing only emergency and critical care.
– Administrative boycott: non-essential tasks, such as routine reporting, medical certification, and participation in meetings, will be suspended.
– Medical campaigns boycott: participation in national health initiatives, including school screenings and surgical caravans, will halt unless minimum safety and organizational standards are met.
Union leaders warn that these escalating measures reflect deepening frustration and a growing lack of trust in the government’s commitment to addressing the crisis.
Calls for accountability
The syndicate points out that the unrest is driven by deeper structural issues, citing the government’s failure to honor past agreements, including those in the 2025 Finance Law. According to the union, “This law postponed critical decisions and left them to unclear regulatory processes.”
Union leaders are notably calling for the protection of healthcare workers’ status as full public servants, the reversal of harmful reforms, and immediate dialogue to address unresolved issues.
They assert, “We demand a more inclusive policymaking approach that recognizes the contributions and sacrifices of medical professionals.”
The union will meet its Administrative Committee and National Council on December 7 to assess the strike’s impact and decide on next steps. But they have warned that “if the government does not respond appropriately, we will escalate our protests.”
As tensions grow, the deadlock reveals the challenges facing Morocco’s healthcare system as well as the broader need for reforms that focus on fairness, professionalism, and long-term sustainability.
Read Also: Moroccan Doctors Begin Nationwide Strike Over Unmet Demands
