Morocco Reduces Maternal Mortality Rate by 70% Over Two Decades

Rabat – Minister of Health and Social Protection Amine Tahraoui announced a major milestone in the country’s healthcare progress: a 70% reduction in the maternal mortality rate over the past two decades.

Speaking on Monday at an oral question session in the House of Representatives, the minister noted that the maternal mortality rate, which was 244 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000, had dropped to 72 deaths by 2020.

Tahraoui said that the advancement in maternal health stems from Morocco’s efforts to strengthen medical training, particularly in obstetrics and gynecology.

The ministry is dedicated to sustaining this progress by expanding opportunities for specialized training in these fields, he added.

Each year, the ministry organizes residency exams to recruit doctors for contractual positions to further strengthen the healthcare workforce.

The minister also noted Morocco’s ongoing support for public hospitals, particularly in vital specialties, to ensure the continued delivery of quality healthcare services.

He spoke of the essential role that fields such as obstetrics and gynecology play in ensuring the well-being of women, mothers, and newborns.

While welcoming this reduction in maternal mortality as undoubtedly a step forward, the minister argued that it also serves as a reminder that more can still be done.

Morocco has made commendable progress in healthcare, especially in maternal health, but achieving even better outcomes requires continued investment in medical training, improved healthcare infrastructure, and broader access to quality care.

By focusing on these areas, Morocco can ensure that every woman, mother, and newborn receives the care they deserve while also reducing the gap between urban and rural healthcare access and working toward even lower maternal mortality rates in the future.