Transforming Healthcare in Casablanca-Settat
On Wednesday, the Prime Minister of Morocco, Mr. Aziz Akhannouch, presided over the inaugural board meeting of the Territorial Health Group (GST) for the Casablanca-Settat Region. This significant event marks a pivotal step in realizing the royal directives aimed at establishing a more accessible healthcare system that not only enhances service quality but also ensures greater equity among citizens. During his address, Mr. Akhannouch emphasized that the enhancement of regional governance within the health sector is a strategic choice for the government, serving as a fundamental pillar in reforming the national healthcare system. This initiative aligns with the broader agenda of expanding social protection and comprehensive medical coverage across the nation.
Strategic Goals and Innovative Approaches
Mr. Akhannouch further articulated that the board meeting was not merely a formal procedure for approving resolutions but rather a strategic orientation session aimed at positioning the Casablanca-Settat Region as a benchmark for effective healthcare reform implementation. This initiative seeks to transform the University Hospital Center into a catalyst for regional development while ensuring that access to healthcare becomes an undeniable right for citizens, with spatial equity as a crucial success criterion. In a statement to the press, the General Director of GST for Casablanca-Settat, Mr. Hicham Afif, expressed that this grouping aims to launch a new dynamic that will significantly enhance the quality of healthcare services available and facilitate smoother access to care throughout the region.
Moreover, the GST will open up new training opportunities for students, promote scientific research and innovation in health, and foster partnerships between the public and private sectors, all in accordance with the directives of His Majesty the King. The meeting also focused on reviewing and adopting the GST action plan, the proposed budget for the 2026 financial year, and the necessary resolutions to kickstart the activities of the Group. These initiatives lay the groundwork for integrated regional healthcare management, grounded in planning, coordination, and improved quality of care for citizens.
Additionally, the meeting highlighted the critical role of the Ibn Rochd University Hospital in Casablanca, recognized as a national reference institution for specialized and high-level care, and as a vital hub for training, scientific research, and medical innovation. The board acknowledged the importance of initiating the new university hospital complex project in Casablanca, a move intended to bolster public healthcare offerings in the region, enhance access to health services, and elevate the standard of care provided to citizens. The future University Hospital of Casablanca is seen as a structural project capable of strengthening the public healthcare system by increasing capacity and sustainably addressing the growing healthcare demands within the Casablanca-Settat Region.
The meeting also underscored the paramount importance of human resources in healthcare as a fundamental element for the success of this transition, alongside the necessity of facilitating this process through digital transformation to streamline procedures, enhance coordination among healthcare institutions, and ease the patient care journey within the region. Given its demographic and strategic significance, the Casablanca-Settat Region plays a crucial role in this national project, accommodating over 7.688 million inhabitants, representing 21% of the Kingdom's population. This region experiences high urbanization rates and escalating pressure on healthcare services, particularly within major and reference hospital establishments.
Currently, the region boasts a substantial public healthcare infrastructure, featuring 376 primary healthcare facilities and a network of university, regional, provincial, and community hospitals with a total capacity of approximately 4,943 beds. This board meeting was attended by several key figures, including the Minister of Health and Social Protection, the Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Enterprises, Employment and Skills, the Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, the Minister Delegate for National Defense Administration, the Wali of the Casablanca-Settat Region, the President of the Casablanca-Settat Regional Council, the General Director of the Territorial Health Group for Casablanca-Settat, and the General Director of the National Social Security Fund.
This gathering marked the sixth national board meeting for GSTs, following those held in Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, Souss-Massa, Laayoune-Sakia Al Hamra, and the Fès-Meknès region.
As reported by lnt.ma.
