Health workers in Casablanca push back against new late duty orders

Health workers in the Casablanca–Settat region are furious over new instructions forcing them to stay at preventive health centers until 8:30 p.m., even on weekends. 

The National Health Union says the move is unfair, illegal, and makes no sense for centers that aren’t equipped to handle emergencies.

According to the union, regional health delegates suddenly received orders to make duty schedules for staff to take turns staying late. 

Some local officials acted right away, one in Anfa even made a list on the spot,  while others called quick meetings with workers. 

The union says all of this happened too fast and without the Health Ministry’s knowledge.

Union leaders claim the orders came from the regional governor, not the ministry which led them to question whether they were working for the Interior Ministry instead of the Health Ministry.

The health workers’ group says preventive centers don’t have what’s needed to run late, no proper equipment, not enough staff, and no emergency setup like hospitals. 

Keeping them open at night, the union says, will only confuse people who might show up expecting urgent help that isn’t available. That confusion, they warn, could turn into anger against health workers who are already exhausted.

The union also pushed back against what it sees as an attempt to blame workers for long-standing problems in Morocco’s public health system. 

It said the real issue is decades of poor planning and weak policies, not the staff who have already proven their dedication during big crises like COVID-19 and the Al Haouz earthquake.

Union members say they won’t follow any unofficial or unwritten instructions. They’re calling on all health workers to stay alert and ready to respond collectively. 

The group says no new rule should be applied without proper talks with employee representatives and official approval from the Health Ministry.