Morocco is accelerating preparations for the operational launch of several new regional health groups as part of a broader overhaul of the country’s healthcare system and social protection framework, according to health officials and government documents.
The reforms are tied to Morocco’s plan to decentralize healthcare governance through the creation of territorial health groups responsible for coordinating medical services at the regional level.
A regional health official in the Fes-Meknes region told Hespress AR transitional preparations for the Fes-Meknes Territorial Health Group are expected to continue until July 31, ahead of the group’s full operational rollout.
The official said the group’s director-general is expected to oversee preparations between the date of the first board meeting and the start of formal operations, though the date of the inaugural board session has not yet been announced.
Under Moroccan regulations, territorial health groups officially begin exercising their powers on the first day of the third month following their initial board meeting.
Officials said preparations currently underway include administrative, financial and logistical restructuring aimed at facilitating the transition toward the new governance model.
The first board meeting of the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra Territorial Health Group was held Thursday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, paving the way for the group to formally begin operations on Aug. 1.
Documents presented during the meeting showed that the group’s proposed 2026 budget exceeds 1.81 billion dirhams ($180 million), balancing projected revenues and expenditures.
According to the budget plan, the Health and Social Protection Ministry will contribute approximately 164.6 million dirhams for operational expenses and 398.3 million dirhams for investment spending.
Personnel expenses are projected at 663.5 million dirhams, while equipment and miscellaneous operating costs are estimated at 225.4 million dirhams.
The budget also includes funding for the new Ibn Sina University Hospital, which is expected to open later this year. Operating costs for the hospital’s first year are estimated at 843 million dirhams, including 430 million dirhams allocated to medical expenses linked to the gradual expansion of specialized healthcare services.
The hospital is also expected to recruit 880 additional healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses and technical and administrative staff.
According to planning documents, the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra health group’s strategy will unfold in two phases. The first phase, focused on transitional governance and organizational foundations, is expected to continue through the end of 2026. A second phase beginning in January 2027 will focus on implementing long-term strategic healthcare projects.
Health Minister Amine Tahraoui said this week that board meetings for the territorial health groups in the Souss-Massa and Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra regions are also expected to take place soon.
Earlier this year, Morocco appointed directors-general for five territorial health groups, including Hicham Afif for Casablanca-Settat, Ibrahim Lekhal for Rabat-Sale-Kenitra, Abdelkrim Daoudi for Fes-Meknes, Ibrahim El Ahmadi for Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra and Tariq El Harithi for Souss-Massa.
The territorial health group reform is a central pillar of Morocco’s healthcare modernization strategy, which seeks to improve regional governance, strengthen hospital coordination and expand access to medical services nationwide.
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