Moroccan Health Experts Warn of Unsafe, Low-Cost Medical Equipment Imports

Karim Zaher, Secretary General (SG) of the Moroccan Association of Biomedical Equipment, would have sounded the alarm, which was echoed by the Arabic-language newspaper, Al Massae. Since then, this information has been taken up by other media. Zaher stated that the criteria and conditions of sale of this type of contraband medical equipment, from Spain or China, are not respected. But it is popular because it is inexpensive.

Regarding the risk of this situation on the health of Moroccans, Zaher specifies that the results of blood tests, for example, can even be falsified. In addition, this equipment can transmit various diseases and infections if it is not sterilized.

Far from just words, the Association of which Zaher is the SG, would be coordinating with the Ministry of Health, and more precisely with the Department of Medicines and Pharmacy, in order to find efficient solutions to counter this problem.

The criteria for importing medical equipment are being studied jointly by the Association and the Ministry, for several months now. The traceability of products, from their manufacture to their arrival at the points of sale, including their entry into Morocco, is also on the agenda of the work.