Akhannouch Chairs Groundbreaking Meeting for Casablanca-Settat Health Initiative
In a significant move towards improving healthcare services in Morocco, Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch presided over the inaugural board meeting of the Casablanca-Settat Territorial Health Group. This meeting, held in Casablanca, was pivotal in adopting the action plan and budget for the year 2026. Among the key decisions made was the launch of the ambitious project for the future hospital-university complex in Casablanca, which aims to enhance the public healthcare offerings in the most populous region of the Kingdom.
The establishment of the Casablanca-Settat Territorial Health Group marks the sixth such initiative launched nationwide, following similar groups in regions such as Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceïma, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, Souss-Massa, Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra, and Fès-Meknès. This initiative is part of Morocco's broader strategy to reform the national healthcare system and progressively implement this regional governance model across all regions of the country.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized that strengthening regional governance is a cornerstone of healthcare reform and a crucial lever for advancing the comprehensive social protection and medical coverage initiatives. He underscored the need to position Casablanca-Settat as a leader in this transformation. The adopted action plan includes mechanisms for enhanced regional governance, managing the transition phase, upgrading health infrastructure, and improving patient care pathways. The ultimate goal is to streamline the collaboration between primary healthcare facilities, provincial and regional hospitals, and the university hospital center to ensure better patient management and make healthcare services more accessible to citizens.
The board also recognized the pivotal role of the Ibn Rochd University Hospital in Casablanca, which is regarded as a reference institution for specialized care, training, scientific research, and medical innovation. Participants emphasized the importance of launching the new hospital-university complex project to bolster public healthcare, improve access to health services, and increase the region's healthcare capacity.
Identifying and mobilizing skilled medical, nursing, and administrative personnel are seen as critical factors for the success of this transformation. The board highlighted the necessity of improving working conditions and enhancing training programs. The role of primary healthcare facilities was also stressed, as they serve as the first point of contact within the healthcare system and are essential for prevention, early diagnosis, and chronic disease management.
The strategic significance of the Casablanca-Settat region, which accounts for approximately 21% of the national population, cannot be overstated in this healthcare reform. The region is home to 376 primary healthcare facilities and a public hospital network comprising nearly 4,943 beds. As the demand for healthcare services continues to grow, authorities are focusing on a more integrated and coordinated management of healthcare services to enhance system efficiency and service quality.
As reported by lematin.ma.
