Morocco Faces Critical Shortage of 32,000 Doctors in Public Health Sector

The deficit in terms of staff in the health sector is large. 1.65 per 1,000 inhabitants, while the required minimum is 4.45, according to Medias24 citing sources close to the Ministry of Health. Morocco has a deficit of 97,161 people in the health sector, including 32,387 doctors and 64,774 nurses and technicians. The Minister of Health presented these figures to the members of the commission of social sectors, at the beginning of November.

In addition to the 4,000 people who will be recruited next year, the minister claims to want to encourage contracting with doctors in the private sector as well as openness to foreign skills and expertise.

The 2020 budget of the ministry amounts to 18.68 billion DH. Medias24 notes an increase of 14.5% compared to 2019, even if it is barely the equivalent of 1.6% of GDP and 5.8% of the general state budget. From the presentation of the head of the health department, we can note that the expenses are as follows: 15.33 billion DH will go to operating costs, including 10.9 billion to salaries. And only 3.35 billion will go to investment.

In addition to recruiting qualified personnel, the budget will allow the purchase of equipment for the operation of health centers but also, the start of the construction of hospitals. Given its limited resources, the ministry says it is pursuing a policy of optimizing the management of its finances.