Marrakech – The Ministry of Health and Social Protection issued an official statement Saturday clarifying the circumstances surrounding a tragic incident where a newborn died shortly after being born aboard the Rabat-Salé tramway on Wednesday morning. The ministry said it launched an immediate investigation after receiving news of the event.
The pregnant woman was traveling to Ibn Sina Hospital in Rabat after allegedly being refused admission at Moulay Abdellah Hospital in Salé. According to initial reports, the hospital turned her away due to what were described as medical and organizational considerations.
While attempting to reach the Rabat hospital, the woman went into labor on the tramway. The baby was born under extremely difficult conditions as shocked passengers tried to assist. The tramway stopped at the next station to wait for an ambulance, disrupting service for several minutes.
Ministry findings, however, contradict initial reports claiming Moulay Abdellah Hospital in Salé refused to admit the pregnant woman.
“After reviewing reception records, examining surveillance camera footage, and hearing statements from private security personnel, her presence at the hospital was not established,” the ministry stated. It added that hospital administration and medical staff confirmed no record of the woman entering the facility.
The investigation revealed the woman actually entered labor while aboard the tramway in Rabat city. She suffered severe bleeding requiring immediate intervention by civil protection services.
Emergency responders transported her to Souissi Maternity Hospital, where medical staff provided examination, necessary treatments, and post-delivery monitoring. The fetus was found to be deceased upon arrival.
Ministry officials disclosed that the woman has been suffering from psychological disorders for some time. She is currently receiving treatment at Errazi Hospital for Mental and Psychiatric Diseases. The ministry expressed deep regret over the painful incident and extended condolences to the family.
“The ministry handles such cases with great responsibility and transparency while ensuring accurate information reaches the public,” officials stated. “We are committed to taking necessary measures to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding.”
Earlier parliamentary intervention
Before the ministry’s clarification, PJD Deputy Abdellah Bouanou had already submitted a written question to Minister Amine Tahraoui demanding an investigation into the incident.
Bouanou claimed the woman had presented herself at Moulay Abdellah Hospital around 4:00 p.m. but was refused because the gynecologist-obstetrician on duty had finished her shift.
The deputy had raised concerns about critical staffing shortages at the facility. Moulay Abdellah Hospital employs only one gynecologist-obstetrician with no night duty system or coverage outside regular hours. The entire city of Salé has just six gynecology-obstetrics specialists across all health facilities.
Bouanou questioned what measures the minister would take to ensure sufficient gynecologist-obstetrician numbers in Salé and guarantee night coverage at Moulay Abdellah Hospital.
The parliamentary intervention came as Minister Amine Tahraoui had previously instructed judicial proceedings against those responsible for maternal and newborn deaths in Moroccan hospitals.
The minister had earlier supervised the launch of a national platform dedicated to monitoring maternal deaths and auditing newborn deaths.
During that meeting, Tahraoui announced that officials responsible for pregnant women and newborn care would be held legally accountable for deaths attributed to their negligence.
Civil society response
Women’s rights advocates had criticized the healthcare system’s emergency management capabilities following initial reports. Leila Melouane, president of the Association for the Defense of Women’s Rights, called the situation unacceptable.
“It is inadmissible that deaths continue to occur due to poor emergency management,” Melouane stated. She argued the hospital should have provided transportation to transfer the patient to Ibn Sina Hospital rather than leaving her to handle the critical situation alone.
Melouane noted that many women regularly face serious risks due to weak emergency services and inadequate equipment in Salé’s maternity units. She called for authorities to strengthen personnel, properly equip delivery rooms, and guarantee efficient emergency care around the clock.
The incident had sparked controversy over healthcare infrastructure in Salé and its capacity to handle maternity emergencies.
