Morocco’s Health Care Crisis: Private Clinics Defend High Costs Amid Public Sector Struggles

Following numerous complaints, the president of the National Association of Private Clinics said he was ready to address the issue of illegal practices in the private sector with the Minister of Health, Khalid Ait Taleb, and to impose severe sanctions on fraudsters.

However, the president indicated that the exorbitant fees charged by private hospitals are a direct consequence of the quality of care provided, specifying that apart from the related fees, the Covid-19 patient is billed an average of 50,000 dirhams.

During a press conference, the president stressed that the quality of the services provided justifies the high rates charged by private clinics. Because having the right medical equipment and qualified personnel requires a large investment.

Redouane Semlali took care to specify that private clinics are not charitable institutions. Their role is limited to the provision of health care services, and not to the management of the poverty and precariousness of Moroccans.