Rabat – The World Bank has put a spotlight on Morocco’s generous efforts to tackle maternal and infant mortality rates, but has acknowledged that this continues to be an issue affecting the North African country, especially in rural areas.
On Wednesday, the World Bank said that despite commendable progress in this area, important gaps remain between rural and urban areas.
“Out of 100,000 live births in 2018, 111 mothers died in rural areas compared with 45 in urban areas,” the World Bank said, noting that there were also 26 deaths per 1,000 births in rural areas compared with 19 in urban areas.
The video report highlighted a community health model Morocco launched in 2022 to contribute to improving maternal and child health and nutrition in rural areas.
The campaign covers a coordination initiative between rural health and community centers, as well as the Community Health Workers.
Najat Nadifi, President of the Riaya Association for Women’s and Children’s Health, cited several challenges that have significantly contributed to the maternal and infant deaths, including geographical obstacles.
“We can lose many women just because of the delays,” she told the World Bank, recommending that women turn to the community health centers before childbirth to receive the necessary care.
The World Bank has renewed its commitment to continue supporting Morocco’s efforts to help improve childbirth and tackle the gaps between rural and urban areas.
“The World Bank has supported Morocco in developing a strategy for the progressive scaling-up of the system through an in-depth evaluation of its pilot phase and a programmatic reinforcement of the model,” the World Bank added.
In January, Health Minister Amine Tahraoui announced a 70% reduction in the natural mortality rate over the past two decades. Morocco’s maternal mortality rate dropped from 244 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 72 deaths by 2020, he said.
The minister attributed this development to medical training, particularly in obstetrics and gynecology, noting that his ministry organizes residency exams to recruit doctors to strengthen the healthcare workforce.
