Morocco Enhances Digital Health by Launching 5G and Artificial Intelligence to Improve Telemedicine
The Minister of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, Amel Filali Saghrouchni, confirmed that the advancements Morocco is witnessing in internet connectivity, particularly the launch of the fifth-generation network (5G), will have a direct and positive impact on the health sector, including the ability to conduct high-quality remote surgeries without interruptions.
This was stated during the opening of the International Forum “EHealth” in Casablanca, where she noted that the rollout of the 5G network on November 7 last year marks a significant step in strengthening digital infrastructure and enabling the health sector to benefit from modern technology.
The minister added that Morocco is making notable progress in all areas related to digital health, starting from digital models, going through data protection in collaboration with partners in digital law, and up to developing the necessary infrastructure for implementing artificial intelligence in the health field, which has become essential for advancing health services and enhancing the quality of care.
Saghrouchni explained that Morocco is qualified to become a key player in digital health on the African continent, provided that national competencies are developed, a robust infrastructure is built, strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors are established, and a clear vision for this field is set.
She emphasized that the intersection of health and artificial intelligence is significant, as the digital transformation of the health sector is essential for modernizing public services. She added that artificial intelligence is revolutionizing medical diagnosis, improving patient follow-up, facilitating treatment personalization, and accelerating clinical research.
Saghrouchni mentioned that over 120 countries have developed digital health strategies, noting that the market for artificial intelligence in health is estimated at $29 billion in 2024 and may reach $500 billion by 2032. However, she stressed that the success of this transformation requires a strong foundation, including high-quality data, interoperability between information systems, and precise data governance, while taking into account ethical and security aspects and patient protection.
She highlighted the importance of a legal framework to ensure responsible and safe use of artificial intelligence and data processing, affirming the creation of a General Directorate for Artificial Intelligence to coordinate public policies, enhance partnerships, and lead related projects, especially in the health sector.
Saghrouchni added that health data is considered a strategic asset, even when anonymized, necessitating strong identity protection, advanced cybersecurity, and strict data governance to ensure the kingdom’s digital sovereignty.
The minister pointed to the importance of developing national competencies in data science, cybersecurity, information systems engineering, health law, and data governance through training programs such as Jobintech and digital academic pathways, ensuring a skilled workforce capable of keeping pace with the advancements in digital health.
She confirmed that innovation must rely on national capabilities, including national data centers, sovereign cloud, and local computing power to host sensitive models, ensuring the sovereign, safe, and sustainable development of artificial intelligence.
Saghrouchni also recalled two initiatives announced during the national AI forums: the first involves establishing a data center in Dakhla with a capacity of 500 megawatts powered by renewable energy, and the second in the Rabat region with a capacity of 50 megawatts to host administrative data, enhancing the kingdom’s capabilities in digital health and artificial intelligence.
