Aziz Akhannouch Announces Comprehensive Reform of the Health System, Focusing on Regionalization and Combating “Medical Deserts”
Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch has sent strong signals affirming the government’s commitment to a radical and profound reform of the national health system. This initiative includes strategic steps rooted in a comprehensive vision to build a modern and equitable health sector, ensuring the continuity of services and meeting the aspirations of citizens across various regions of the kingdom.
During the monthly oral question session at the House of Representatives on Monday, July 7, 2025, Akhannouch stated that the establishment of regional health groups marks a crucial turning point in managing the sector. These groups will facilitate the development of regional medical programs tailored to the demographic, geographic, and epidemiological characteristics of each area, enabling better organization of treatment pathways and fair distribution of health services.
He explained that this approach would overcome the limitations of centralized management, granting regions expanded authority to determine investment priorities and localize health facilities, which will help address the phenomenon of “medical deserts” and reduce regional disparities in healthcare access.
The Prime Minister highlighted the challenge of medical professional migration, noting that limited incentives in the past led many healthcare professionals to leave public hospitals. This prompted the government to prioritize improving healthcare workers’ conditions from the beginning of its term, through regular social dialogue that has resulted in significant gains, including salary increases for doctors, hazard pay, and expedited promotions for nurses.
Akhannouch assured that the government is also working concurrently to ensure the sustainability of health coverage by enhancing the financial balance of health funds and implementing an effective pharmaceutical policy. He pointed out that exempting medicines from value-added tax has contributed to lowering prices for over 4,500 medicines, alleviating the burden on patients and promoting equitable access to treatment.
He added that the government has laid out a roadmap to encourage domestic pharmaceutical production, resulting in the establishment of 53 industrial units that cover more than 70% of local market needs, in addition to supporting the consumption of generic medicines, which now accounts for 40% of national usage.
The Prime Minister concluded by asserting the government’s determination to continue implementing a comprehensive and integrated reform of the health sector, in line with royal directives, and to establish the right to health as a cornerstone of social justice and sustainable development.
