Marrakech Mortuary Strained by Rising Caseload
Recent statistics from the fifteenth interim report of Marrakech's action plan for 2023-2028 have revealed a staggering number of 729 bodies received by the city’s mortuary between May and September 2026. This period has seen the facility overwhelmed, with the bodies categorized into 368 that underwent examination only and 361 subjected to autopsies. This influx highlights the intense pressure on the mortuary services in Marrakech, which is exacerbated by a critical shortage of forensic doctors. Local officials have notably drawn attention to the challenges faced in the palm city, which continues to expand rapidly.
The issue of inadequate forensic medical services is not isolated to Marrakech; it reflects a nationwide crisis in Morocco. A parliamentary report has previously indicated a severe deficiency in the number of forensic doctors across the country, noting that ten judicial districts lack a single forensic specialist. This gap is so pronounced that the Public Prosecution in the Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab region often has to rely on forensic doctors from the Court of Appeal in Laayoune or Agadir to fulfill essential duties.
According to the same report, only 25 forensic doctors were actively working by the end of 2024. In contrast, there were 147 doctors employed within public health facilities and municipal health offices. The growing demand for forensic services in Marrakech and across Morocco raises significant concerns about public health and safety, highlighting the urgent need for addressing the shortage of qualified professionals in this critical field.
As reported by anbaetv.ma.
