Morocco Unveils 10-Year National Cancer Prevention and Treatment Plan

The establishment of a Public Fund against Cancer is currently a major concern in Morocco. This decision follows a petition signed by thousands of people and addressed to Saad Eddine El Otmani. On this occasion and in reaction, the head of the executive affirmed that a series of measures will be launched soon and welcomed the initiatives of civil society and volunteers who support the affected people.

The government aims to adopt a 2020-2029 national cancer prevention and treatment plan. This will reduce incidence and mortality rates. This plan, which will be launched soon, also prioritizes the start of the generalization of vaccination against cervical cancer for all girls aged 11 years. And in this regard, 350,000 girls per year will be concerned.

The government will also change the missions and attributions of the National Institute of Oncology. This will strengthen research and training. But first, the executive will change the status of the Institute, to make it a public establishment with financial and administrative autonomy.

The Head of Government will also create a National Commission for Cancer Prevention and Control. It will ensure the monitoring of this major project and guarantee its governance. It will include institutional actors, professionals and representatives of civil society and will be chaired by Saad Eddine El Otmani himself.

It should be recalled that each year, Morocco records 1,500 new cases of this type of disease, while the treatment requires 100,000 dirhams for each case, reports Hespress.