Moroccan surgeons under fire for playing 'chaabi' music during surgery

A viral video showing Moroccan surgeons playing loud traditional “chaabi” music, even dancing, during a surgical operation has triggered widespread outrage across Morocco, sparking demands for an official investigation by the Ministry of Health.

The footage, which began circulating widely on social media Monday evening, depicts a group of medical professionals performing a surgical procedure while upbeat Moroccan folk music blares in the background. The scene has prompted many Moroccans to question the professionalism of the medical staff involved and the broader state of hospital conduct in the country.

Despite repeated attempts by Hespress AR to obtain a formal response from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, no official statement or clarification had been issued by the time of publication. Meanwhile, public frustration continues to mount, with many calling for an inquiry into when and where the video was recorded, and who the health professionals involved are.

Health experts and union leaders offered mixed reactions, diverging notably from the dominant public sentiment online. Speaking to Hespress AR, Ali Lotfi, head of the Moroccan Network for the Right to Health and the Right to Life, noted that the use of music in operating rooms is not a new phenomenon and is, in fact, a common practice in many Western hospitals to reduce stress for surgical teams.

“The mistake,” Lotfi said, “was not the music itself, but the choice of genre, loud, dance-inducing ‘chaabi’ music, which is far from the calming effect typically sought during surgery.” He added that “dancing during a surgical procedure is unacceptable,” and highlighted the lack of clear national guidelines around music use in operating theaters.

Karim Belmokadem, secretary general of the National Union of Public Health under the Democratic Federation of Labor, also emphasized that playing music in operating rooms is globally recognized for its therapeutic effect in easing stress for both patients and staff. However, he noted that the controversy should lead to a broader conversation on improving medical infrastructure and regulation, rather than focusing solely on the musical choice.

A practicing surgeon, who spoke to Hespress AR on condition of anonymity, stressed the need to verify the authenticity, context, and location of the video before drawing conclusions.

“At this point, we still don’t know whether the scene took place in a public or private facility,” the source said, adding that many surgeons use calm music, such as classical or instrumental tracks, to manage tension during complex operations.

“The public shock,” the doctor explained, “was due to the energetic nature of the music and the physical reactions it prompted, which appeared out of place in a sterile, high-stakes environment.”

As the video continues to make the rounds online and provoke public debate, the absence of an official response from health authorities has only added to public concern. Many now await concrete action from the ministry, either in the form of a disciplinary inquiry or clearer national standards on behavior and atmosphere inside surgical settings.