Rabat – As Morocco’s youth-led demonstrations continue across several cities, Minister of Health and Social Protection Amine Tahraoui appeared yesterday on national television channel 2M to defend his ministry’s record and respond to the mounting frustration surrounding public healthcare.
His intervention came amid growing calls from the GenZ212 movement for deep structural reforms in healthcare, education, employment, and anti-corruption measures.
Tahraoui described Morocco’s healthcare sector as being in a crucial phase of reform, urging a move toward greater professionalism and accountability. He said that public services must continue to function even as they undergo restructuring, explaining that “citizens depend on these services every day, and halting them is not an option.”
He stressed that the ministry’s approach seeks to ensure that qualified and responsible professionals are placed at the heart of the system. For him, the challenge lies in improving governance, management, and infrastructure so that hospitals and clinics can operate efficiently and regain citizens’ trust.
The minister also addressed the controversy surrounding his remark, “Go protest in Rabat,” which had sparked strong reactions on social media. The comment, made during an inspection visit to the Agadir hospital following the deaths of several pregnant women, was widely perceived as dismissive at a time of national outrage.
Tahraoui argued that his words were directed at a fellow official, not citizens, and said they had been taken out of context amid the tension of the visit.
Rejecting claims of favoritism in public contracts
Addressing accusations that the ministry had replaced contractors with firms allegedly close to the government, Tahraoui dismissed such claims as “inaccurate and politically motivated.” He explained that the public procurement process is open and transparent, with specifications published online for anyone to access.
He also clarified that the ministry itself does not directly manage tenders; regional health directorates are responsible for selecting contractors, while the central administration monitors and evaluates their performance.
If a company fails to meet its obligations, he said, it is removed and replaced. The goal, according to Tahraoui, is to build a merit-based and transparent system that ensures continuity and accountability at all levels.
Confronting pay gaps and workforce shortages
Tahraoui acknowledged the growing disparity between public and private sector salaries, describing it as one of the main reasons many doctors and nurses leave public service. He said the ministry is introducing a performance-based pay system that would reward healthcare workers according to productivity.
This new approach, he noted, is already part of the public health employment framework but has been delayed due to technical difficulties with Morocco’s fragmented digital infrastructure.
“We cannot manage reforms without modern information systems,” he said, explaining that many hospitals still operate independently, without centralized data sharing.
He added that improving infrastructure and working conditions is essential to retain professionals, saying that “without proper facilities and respect for the profession, no system can thrive.”
Tahraoui also detailed a pilot project launched in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, where hospitals, clinics, and primary health centers are now integrated into a single digital network under what he called a territorial health group.
The project began in early October, involving more than 9,000 healthcare professionals working across different facilities connected through a unified management platform.
The initiative allows patient records to be tracked across all facilities in the region, ensuring better coordination and continuity of care, he explained.
Revising outdated medical tariffs and reimbursement procedures
The minister also addressed one of the citizens’ key frustrations, outdated medical tariffs that have remained unchanged since 2006. He said that the ministry is working with the National Social Security Fund (CNSS) to review these reference prices and that the newly created Higher Health Authority will soon take responsibility for updating them in line with current medical realities.
Tahraoui announced that an electronic medical claim system will be introduced starting in early 2026, replacing the current paper-based reimbursement process. This reform, he said, will reduce bureaucracy, shorten waiting times, and make reimbursements more accessible to patients across the country.
Rethinking the relationship with the private sector
When questioned about the government’s support for private clinics, Tahraoui said the issue is not whether the private sector should invest in healthcare, but how this cooperation should be structured. He explained that future incentives will target projects that help bridge gaps in remote areas rather than reinforce concentration in big cities.
He pointed out that some private clinics have benefited from public incentives, but these policies are being reevaluated to ensure that they align with the national health strategy.
According to Tahraoui, Morocco needs “a balanced relationship between public and private actors,” one that ensures both sides serve public interest rather than compete for the same resources.
Rising drug prices and the push for local production
Tahraoui admitted that the surge in medicine prices remains a serious concern for Moroccan households. He described the pharmaceutical sector as “a complex system involving producers, importers, distributors, and hospitals,” noting that the pricing framework has not been comprehensively reviewed since 2013.
He said the ministry is working with both domestic manufacturers and international suppliers to reduce prices without disrupting supply chains.
Part of the strategy involves encouraging local pharmaceutical production to lessen dependency on imports. “We are seeking balance between affordability for citizens and sustainability for manufacturers,” he said, emphasizing that reforms must protect both accessibility and stability.
Promises vs public skepticism
Tahraoui’s appearance came as protests under the banner of GenZ212 spread to several major cities, with thousands of young Moroccans demanding a fairer and more transparent public system. The movement, which began after the deaths of pregnant women at an Agadir hospital, has since evolved into a broader social outcry over healthcare failures, unemployment, and corruption.
Many protesters say they have lost confidence in the government’s promises, arguing that the issues they raise have been discussed for years without meaningful progress. While Tahraoui’s tone on television was conciliatory, his remarks are unlikely to fully satisfy a generation that has grown skeptical of official assurances.
He concluded by insisting that reform is underway and that the process, though slow, is real. “We are inside the reform now,” he said, adding that the transformation of Morocco’s healthcare system “will take time but has already begun.”
Whether the government can translate those promises into visible change on the ground remains uncertain, and for Morocco’s youth, patience is wearing thin.
