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Rabat – The Moroccan Court of Audit has identified a series of discrepancies in the care provided to pregnant women approaching delivery and newborns by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection.
The court conducted thirteen audits across ten Moroccan regions to examine the framework of healthcare institutions catering to this demographic, including three charitable clinics.
The court revealed the results in its annual report for the fiscal year 2022-2023. The report acknowledged that since 2008, the Ministry of Health has implemented strategies and action plans aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality.
While these efforts expanded public health services for childbirth and improved care for pregnant women and newborns, many indicators have yet to meet the desired targets.
The Court of Audit notably highlighted the lack of reliable information on these indicators. This information gap has prevented a comprehensive understanding of the situation of maternal and newborn care, hindering the implementation of corrective measures.
In addition, the report emphasized disparities in the urban and rural areas, as well as variations based on socioeconomic and educational levels, affecting the rates of maternal and newborn mortality.
Read also: Southeast Morocco: Pregnant Women, Infants Face Death Due to Lack of Medical Care
The court also raised concerns about the non-establishment and activation of governance bodies and mechanisms, a deficiency that has impeded the effectiveness of processes related to pregnant women and newborns.
The implementation of key mechanisms in planning for maternal and newborn care has also been significantly delayed, including health maps, regional health plans, program contracts, regional action plans, and hospital projects.
The report observed that most hospitals and maternity facilities fall short of the standards set by the Ministry of Health regarding resources.
These institutions face severe shortages in human resources, medical equipment, and essential medicines, hindering their overall efficiency and the quality of care for pregnant women and newborns.
In addition, the report highlighted deficiencies in the management of healthcare services for pregnant women and newborns, including a lack of adherence to hospital accreditation standards and best practices.
The Court of Audit recommended that the Ministry of Health and Social Protection ensure the provision of necessary frameworks and resources to enhance performance indicators related to the care of pregnant women, those in labor, and newborns.
This includes establishing an effective governance framework aligned with the working patterns of healthcare institutions.
The report also urged the ministry to rehabilitate healthcare institutions, focusing on infrastructure and providing them with the necessary equipment, human resources, medicines, and medical supplies.
