Moroccan PM and Health Minister Clash Over Key Health Sector Appointments

The two officials have maintained their position on the appointments to the posts of Secretary General of the Ministry of Health and Director of Public Hospitals. During the last government council, Mr. El Othmani blocked, for the third time, the appointment of Abelillah Boutaleb to the post of Secretary General of the Ministry of Health, reports Assabah. For his part, the Minister of Health has not canceled the appointment of his two executives to interim positions. Similarly, he shows no willingness to organize a new recruitment competition to select new applicants.

Mr. Boutaleb has been acting as Secretary General of the Ministry of Health since last August, which is not to the liking of the head of government. He accuses Mr. Taleb of not having respected the law relating to appointments to senior positions. The latter retorts and explains that the appointments were made in full compliance with the legal conditions and formalities in force. Sources from Saâdeddine El Othmani’s office claim the opposite. According to them, the head of the health department has indeed violated the law by following the fast track to directly appoint the secretary general of his department.