The privatization of hospitals in Morocco is being debated again

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The privatization of public assets is a highly criticized phenomenon, especially when it comes to the health sector. In Morocco, the transfer of public hospitals in the north of the country to the private sector recently sparked an outcry of indignation. MP Saloua Berdai, from the Justice and Development Party (PJD) group in the House of Representatives, relaunched the debate.

Embarrassed by this overwhelming wave of privatization which continues to increase, the MP questioned Khalid Ait Taleb, Minister of Health and Social Protection in a written question, on the motivations for this structural reshuffle. She highlighted “ the crucial role of these public establishments for citizens and for a large part of Moroccans who do not have access to private health services “. Berdai recalled that “lhe privatization of public hospitals, dating from the Spanish colonial era, sparks lively debates concerning the fate of the health professionals who work there ».

The parliamentarian was concerned about the impact of this decision on the most deprived citizens, and which risks depriving them of a fundamental right stipulated and guaranteed by the Constitution. To make it clear that things are moving in this direction, the MP announced that a directive from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection had asked the regional management to facilitate access for new owners to the property of the hospitals concerned.

In this sense, Saloua Berdai warned that “ this privatization would inevitably lead to a deterioration of health services for the most vulnerable citizens, unable to access the private sector ». “The Ministry of Health and Social Protection has transferred the assets of three hospitals to the Organisme de Placement Collectif Immobilier (OPCI) as part of a new strategy for exploiting state assets “, she recalled.

According to recent correspondence sent to stakeholders, this sale was carried out while guaranteeing the continued use of the hospitals as a public service, via long-term rental contracts. She further requested that the transferred buildings remain accessible for the necessary services and assessments.

This approach is part of a new policy from the Ministry of the Economy and Finance aimed at optimizing the use of state assets. It consists of setting up contracts for “ long term rental » for real estate, such as hospitals and health centers, to the OPCI, in exchange for a beneficial financial income for the general budget.

Note that this measure, which continues to be debated, is not appreciated either by citizens or by certain local leaders. They see it as a desire to give an air of freshness to the general budget to the detriment of the health needs of one of the segments most impacted by inflation.