Investigation Launched into Health Contract Mismanagement
The Souss-Massa region's health sector is currently embroiled in a significant controversy following the awarding of a multimillion-dirham contract to a company whose primary activities are unrelated to nursing services. This issue has prompted an administrative investigation as well as a parliamentary inquiry, as reported by the daily newspaper _Al Akhbar_.
On September 15, 2026, General Tarik El Harti, the Director General of the Souss-Massa Regional Health Group, initiated a contentious review concerning the contract for nursing assistants at the Mohammed VI University Hospital in Agadir. The scandal erupted even before the hospital officially commenced operations, triggered by the revelation that nursing assistants working at the facility had not received their due financial compensation on time, despite performing essential tasks and having direct contact with patients. The delay in payments raised concerns about potential social unrest and the integrity of public service.
Concerns Over Contract Legitimacy and Compliance
The investigation into the contract, valued at over 24 million dirhams, has raised serious apprehensions. Reports indicate that certain officials involved in this controversial contract did not personally sign the necessary administrative documents, opting instead to delegate this responsibility to subordinates. The company awarded the contract specializes in cleaning and laundry services, lacking any relevant experience in nursing, which has led to widespread skepticism about the motivations behind awarding the contract to such a firm.
Data reveals that the Agadir University Hospital issued an international open tender on July 16, 2024, for nursing support and care services, with the first segment of the contract estimated at over 24 million dirhams following the opening of submissions on September 10, 2024. Ultimately, the contract was granted to a cleaning company whose business scope does not encompass the duties of nursing assistants, focusing instead on cleaning, laundry, catering, waste management, gardening, sterilization, and trade.
Despite the contract's initial limitations, nursing services and assistants were exceptionally integrated into the agreement, raising legal questions. The ramifications of this contract have even reached Parliament, where the relevant minister was formally questioned regarding compliance with the technical and legal procedures outlined in the specifications and existing regulations. Additionally, concerns were raised about the legal and administrative criteria that allowed the acceptance of a proposal from a company whose activities did not include nursing at the time of submission. This situation has illuminated the violation of Law No. 13.13 related to nursing practice, thus characterizing the contract award as scandalous.
As reported by fr.le360.ma.
