Morocco and China Strengthen Health Cooperation in Africa, Celebrating 50 Years of Medical Partnership
The Minister of Health and Social Protection, Ameen Tahraoui, confirmed yesterday in Rabat that Morocco and China share a common strategic vision for developing the African continent, focusing on investment, technical cooperation, and strengthening local capacities.
This statement was made during an official celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the first Chinese medical teams in Morocco. He highlighted that both countries aspire to build an active trilateral cooperation with African nations, which extends beyond the healthcare sector to include other vital areas.
The minister noted that Morocco, with its deep African ties, positions itself as an active partner in supporting efforts to enhance health systems across the continent, through medical training, localizing pharmaceutical production, and expanding healthcare coverage.
He pointed out that the partnership between Rabat and Beijing includes innovative fields such as digital health, artificial intelligence in therapeutic services, telemedicine, and biomedical research, as well as integrative traditional medicine. He referred to tangible initiatives such as the “Bright Journey” campaign for eye surgeries, the establishment of a Traditional Chinese Medicine Center in Mohammedia, alongside Chinese donations of medical equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, which included training for Moroccan health professionals in Chinese health institutions.
The minister emphasized the comprehensive reform underway in the Moroccan healthcare system under the guidance of King Mohammed VI, aiming to generalize health coverage, improve the quality of treatments, and modernize the public sector, with innovation as a central pillar.
For his part, the Mayor of Shanghai, Gong Zheng, praised the ongoing role of Chinese medical teams in supporting the Moroccan healthcare system over the past five decades, noting the strong relations between the two countries.
He reiterated China’s renewed commitment to Africa, reminding attendees of President Xi Jinping’s pledges made during the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, particularly regarding the strategic partnership, and expressed his country’s eagerness to develop cooperation with Morocco towards an innovative partnership model, emphasizing that Morocco was the first country in North Africa to join the Belt and Road Initiative.
The event witnessed the signing of new agreements to enhance health partnerships, the delivery of three ambulances, the launch of a cataract surgery campaign in Chefchaouen, the opening of an acupuncture treatment center in Mohammedia, and the organization of a scientific symposium on Chinese-Moroccan traditional medicine.
