Healthcare professionals decry delays in Al Haouz hospital rehabilitation

Nearly two years after the launch of a rehabilitation program for Mohammed VI Regional Hospital, healthcare workers are expressing frustration over prolonged delays that have left critical services in a state of disrepair. Several hospital departments remain nonfunctional, while others operate with inadequate facilities, including broken sanitation systems, a situation medical professionals describe as “unacceptable.”

The regional office of the Independent Union of Nurses in Al Haouz has called the hospital’s condition “catastrophic,” criticizing what it describes as a lack of oversight and poor planning. According to the union, renovations have been carried out without proper supervision and have failed to address the hospital’s most pressing infrastructure issues.

Union representatives have also raised concerns about the hospital’s overall management, questioning whether legal and procedural standards are being upheld. “A public health institution should exemplify good governance, regulatory compliance, and responsible resource management,” the union stated.

Abderrahmane Kabboul, regional secretary of the Independent Union of Nurses, said the rehabilitation project has seen “significant delays” since its initiation following the Al Haouz earthquake. He accused hospital administrators of suspending services instead of prioritizing their restoration, leaving critical care units struggling to operate.

Kabboul described the hospital as being in a state of deterioration, saying it now resembles a basic health clinic rather than a regional medical center. “Healthcare system deficiencies in Al Haouz are not new, but the earthquake has worsened these problems and accelerated service decline,” he said.

One of the most controversial decisions was the sudden closure of a consultation and diagnostic unit recently introduced to ease the burden on inpatient services. The facility had provided essential care for residents in remote areas, but its shutdown has further limited access to medical treatment.

While the hospital has basic medical equipment, including an X-ray machine, Kabboul criticized what he called inconsistent management of resources. “Medical devices are frequently taken out of service at certain hours or on specific days without explanation,” he said, warning that these disruptions endanger patients, particularly those recovering from earthquake-related injuries.

A major concern among healthcare workers is the absence of physicians in the emergency department. “The most critical unit for treating the injured is operating without doctors,” Kabboul said. “Only one nurse is present, forced to take on responsibilities meant for medical practitioners. This is both dangerous and unacceptable.”

The hospital’s rehabilitation was among the government’s key priorities in the reconstruction of earthquake-affected areas. However, with delays now approaching two years, frustration is mounting. “How can such a crucial project remain stalled when only a limited number of services are affected?” Kabboul asked.

Healthcare workers are now urging authorities to take immediate action, calling for improved working conditions and a swift resolution to the hospital’s ongoing crisis to ensure residents have access to proper medical care.