African Development Bank Grants Morocco $204 Million for Social Protection Expansion

The objective of the Moroccan authorities is to achieve a social coverage rate of 80% by 2023. According to the statements of the Minister of Economy, Finance and Administration Reform, Mohamed Benchaâboun, reported by the MAP, it is a loan agreement of $204 million (2 billion dirhams), spread over a period of four years.

The Integrated Program to Support the Improvement of Social Protection includes several components, including the construction of a hospital center in Guelmim and a specialty hospital in Ouarzazate. It is also planned to upgrade about a hundred hospital units in rural areas and 31 social protection establishments in the regions of Béni Mellal-Khénifra, Guelmim-Oued Noun and Drâa-Tafilalet.

For the representative of the AfDB national office in Morocco, Leila Farah Mokaddem, this program will strengthen medical coverage, particularly the Medical Assistance Scheme (RAMED) and the medical coverage of non-salaried workers, the development of quality health services through the construction of hospitals in Guelmim and Ouarzazate, and the upgrading of 100 primary health facilities in rural areas.

The Kingdom is the leading beneficiary of AfDB loans in Africa.