Social protection: Still some catching up to do
The National Health Insurance Agency (ANAM) is still lagging behind in its efforts to improve social protection. This is the conclusion of a report by the African Development Bank, drawn up following its monitoring and evaluation mission to the Kingdom last March.
According to the document, the program, which contributes to improving the living conditions of the population, particularly women in vulnerable situations, children, and people with disabilities, through inclusive access to social protection and improved governance of social assistance, has certainly got off to a good start. However, ANAM will need to step up its efforts very quickly if it is to operate at full capacity.
For example, in the area of improved governance, one of the program’s three major goals, it has been noted that capacity-building for social workers in social welfare institutions (SWIs) in the target regions is faltering. Only 1,700 social workers have been trained nationwide. An accreditation program for social workers has been drawn up, but has not yet been implemented due to staff shortages. A skills assessment has also been drawn up, with a view to planning specific training courses, as well as a scheme to enhance the value of experience, which is beginning to be set up through National Mutual Assistance (Entraide Nationale, E.N.) for social workers already in practice. The 1st accreditation desk was opened in Tangiers at the E.N. branch.
The AfDB also noted that the Ministry of Health’s Integrated Hospital Information System (SIHI) has only been implemented in three regions. The call for tenders to equip primary healthcare institutions (Établissements de soins de santé primaires – ESSPs) with telemedicine/teleconsultation equipment has been cancelled, and two tenders launched in 2024 will be approved this year.
In the fight to reduce territorial disparities in basic medical coverage, another major goal of the Program, the supply of care and requests for registration are still not equitably met. Upgrading of rural ESSPs is underway in the regions of Draa-Tafilalet, Guelmim-Oued Noun, Beni Mellal, and Khénifra. Only 62 ESSPs are equipped and fully operational. Two primary healthcare institutions are currently under construction in the province of Azilal, which will strengthen the health offering in this mountainous region where access to care remains a major challenge. Other projects underway include a level 2 rural health center (CSR2) in Bzou and another one in Aït M’hammed.
Another delay: construction work on the new Guelmim hospital is only 65% complete. On the other hand, studies for the conversion of the Regional Hospital Center (CHR) into a University Hospital Center (CHU) have been completed, and the call for tenders is currently being launched to select the company that will be in charge of construction. It should be noted that the transformation of the CHP into a CHU will improve the healthcare offering in the region. This will start in January 2027, since completion of the University Hospital (CHU) is scheduled for December 2026.
Aziz DIOUF
