Moroccan Dialysis Patient Dies After Spain Denies Medical Repatriation Request

The Moroccan was working in Cadiz where he was sending money to his family in Morocco. He had found himself stuck in Morocco due to the border closures decided by the Moroccan authorities to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Aboufiras had repeatedly asked the Spanish government to help him return to Spain where he was undergoing dialysis treatment. His many calls went unanswered. The medical repatriation he requested was not organized until his death.

The Association of Friends of the Moroccan People (ITRAN) called for demonstrations against the "racist" policy of the Spanish government. The president of the association, Mohamed Alami Susi, confirmed the many repatriation calls from Aboufiras. The association says it also pleaded for him to be repatriated on the flight of April 3. Without response.

According to Alami, 579 Spaniards and Moroccans residing in Spain and stranded in Morocco have asked ITRAN for help to return home. Among them, several "very urgent" cases, he said. "Five women have already given birth [in Morocco] and two women have lost their children," he added. Faced with the situation, the association says it has sent letters to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs without receiving any response so far.