Moroccan Minister of Health and Social Protection Amine El Tahraoui acknowledged the overwhelming pressure on the country’s emergency medical services, revealing that more than 6 million emergency consultations were recorded nationwide in 2024 alone. The volume, he said, is straining regional hospitals and reinforcing the urgency of systemic reforms.
During a parliamentary Q&A session Monday, El Tahraoui explained that the ministry has taken steps to expand emergency medical access, including the deployment of 110 proximity emergency units and nine mobile medical assistance units. These services are linked to the national emergency hotline (141), ensuring round-the-clock response capacity.
The minister emphasized that strengthening emergency care is part of a broader strategy to improve both pre-hospital and hospital-based services. “This falls within a comprehensive vision focused on proximity, rapid response, and quality medical care,” he told lawmakers.
Currently, Morocco’s public emergency infrastructure comprises 155 emergency reception departments. This includes 100 units at local and provincial hospitals, 24 fully equipped units in regional and university hospitals, and 31 specialized emergency services.
Emergency care, El Tahraoui said, remains a central pillar of the government’s health system reform, serving as the first line of response for critical cases and a guarantee of citizens’ right to immediate and safe access to care.
Modernization of Emergency Services Underway
The ministry has launched several programs aimed at modernizing emergency departments, based on a national reference framework. These reforms include the creation of triage rooms, enhanced patient reception protocols, and improved care conditions in emergency units.
Among the top priorities, according to El Tahraoui, is the expansion of new proximity emergency units to relieve hospital overcrowding. Another key measure is the rollout of Territorial Health Groups, a new organizational model designed to streamline patient pathways and improve coordination across different levels of the health system.
The minister also stressed the importance of expanding mobile emergency medical units capable of responding 24/7 to critical cases, improving emergency care timelines, and ensuring an equitable distribution of medical personnel and infrastructure across regions.
“The reform of the emergency sector is part of a broader national health strategy to upgrade the quality of public healthcare,” El Tahraoui concluded. “Our commitment is to provide urgent medical care that is swift, effective, and integrated, in line with citizens’ expectations across all parts of the Kingdom.”
Staffing Surge Expected in September
Separately, the minister addressed staffing shortages in the health sector, stating that the ministry has implemented strict criteria to distribute recruitment and transfer positions based on regional needs.
El Tahraoui highlighted that the number of annual health sector recruitment positions rose sharply from 1,500 in 2017 to 6,500 in 2025. He said the April 2025 cycle saw 100% of available resident doctor positions filled, a dramatic improvement from just 49% the year before. In total, 992 residents signed contracts this cycle.
He also announced the appointment of two full cohorts of specialized doctors this year, totaling 661 professionals. This, he said, aims to eliminate temporary assignments and redirect medical talent to underserved regions.
Another 543 specialist positions are set to be filled starting in September 2025, following the conclusion of the ongoing transfer process. The effort is part of a broader government strategy to improve medical practice conditions in remote areas through incentives and better infrastructure, ultimately reducing regional disparities in healthcare access.
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