From Hospital Cleaner to France’s CESE: Abdelaali El Badaoui’s Journey

His journey began in a modest family originally from Morocco. Born in northern France and raised in Seine-et-Marne, Abdelaali El Badaoui grew up with parents who worked as shepherds and farmers. At 7, a serious accident left burns over 70% of his body. While hospitalized, he discovered the medical world and formed a deep impression of the caregivers who looked after him.

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Nine years later, at 16, he returned to the hospital for a two-week internship. The experience became a true calling. He stayed for seven years, successively holding several positions: cleaner, care assistant, hospital porter, employee in the sterilization department, and even at the morgue.

Those years spent alongside patients and hospital staff shaped his career. “I’m deeply grateful to and respectful of the cleaning staff, who taught me everything,” he said in a testimonial published by the Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In 2010, he became a nurse and worked in several departments, including cardiology, pediatric cardiac surgery, psychiatry and intensive care. Through his work with patients, he also discovered the everyday difficulties that keep some families from accessing the healthcare system: financial hardship, housing, food and access to services and entitlements.

From 500 euros in funding to a national institution

In 2018, Abdelaali El Badaoui founded Banlieues Santé, an association aimed at improving access to healthcare and supporting residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods. The beginnings were modest. Its first funding came in 2020, two years after the organization was founded: just 500 euros.

The project gradually grew. Banlieues Santé developed initiatives for women, older people and families in difficulty. Today, the association works with more than 300 partner organizations across four French regions. Its work includes initiatives focused on food, prevention and access to healthcare services.

His commitment also extends to other fields. He has helped create organizations dedicated to education, sport and the environment, with the aim of developing solutions directly from disadvantaged neighborhoods.

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In 2026, his journey took another step forward when he joined the Economic, Social and Environmental Council for the 2026-2031 term. Nominated by Banlieues Santé, he represents the social and territorial cohesion sector and sits on the social affairs and health committee. Based at the Palais d’Iéna in Paris, the nurse of Moroccan origin now takes part in the work of a national assembly tasked with advising the French public authorities on major economic, social and environmental issues.