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Meknes – Morocco’s Minister of Health, Amine Tahraoui, has taken a bold step towards enhancing and restoring order in public hospitals.
The minister issued on September 23 two new circulars aimed at improving the quality of public healthcare services. The directives are designed to ensure stricter discipline among medical staff, stronger security measures, along faster payment of allowances.
The move comes in response to several protests that took place in several Moroccan cities, including Agadir, deploring growing concerns over staff absenteeism, delayed services, and repeated cases that showed disrespect for citizens’ right to healthcare.
In terms of absenteeism in many health facilities across the country, the ministry’s first circular addresses working hours and professional conduct.
Tahraoui reminded healthcare workers of their vital role in ensuring the continuity and quality of services, while warning against unjustified absences, repeated lateness, and early departures.
Staff are now required to remain present during official hours, respect on-call schedules, and dress professionally with visible identification. The circular also instructs hospital managers to carry out daily attendance checks, particularly in emergency units.
The initiative features potential penalties against health professionals who do not respect working hours, including salary deductions and other disciplinary measures for repeated violations.
Meanwhile, the second circular focuses on workplace safety and dignity for health professionals. With rising alleged incidents of aggression against doctors and nurses, the ministry has introduced a zero-tolerance policy.
The document now instructs that any assault or threat against medical staff will be met with legal pursuit, ruling out the possibility of withdrawal.
The ministry also urges hospitals to step up security measures by hiring private guards, installing surveillance cameras, and improving reception services to reduce tensions.
Hospitals are also meant to provide their staff with rest areas and better food services on night duty, while hygiene standards in facilities must be strictly upheld.
In terms of allowance payments, the circulars also stress the need to accelerate the payment of allowances, particularly those related to on-call and standby duties.
Administrative services have been told to process payments promptly and in line with legal deadlines.
By introducing these measures, the Health Ministry seeks to address both patient concerns and staff grievances.
Will new measures respond to the critical health service situation?
In the past week, videos circulated on social media calling for radical reform to ensure citizens’ dignity in terms of public health services.
What sparked the controversy is the death of several pregnant women following cesarean operations at Hassan II Regional Hospital in Agadir.
Locals cited several reasons behind the women’s death, including the absence of appropriate care, proper equipment, and enough medical staff.
The incidents sparked repeated protests in front of the hospital, where families and civil society groups deplored what they called a “catastrophic health situation.”
