AGP Executive Report

Health Funding: Morocco plans to raise its 2027 healthcare budget by MAD 3 billion to MAD 45.4 billion and create 8,000 health-sector jobs, with funding for hospitals, facility upgrades and digital services. Medicine Costs: New price cuts cover hundreds of medicines, including cancer treatments and drugs for chronic and cardiovascular conditions, easing costs for patients and health insurers. Patient Safety: A woman reportedly died after waiting 10 hours at a Moroccan hospital for snakebite antivenom, spotlighting gaps in emergency care. Disease Watch: Four Moroccan truck drivers were hospitalized after suspected mosquito-borne infections during trips to Senegal; their illnesses remain unidentified, and transport workers are calling for better screening and medical support at Guerguerat. Food Safety: A new shellfish purification facility near Al Hoceima aims to remove toxins and strengthen sanitary checks before products reach consumers. Digital Health: Morocco’s AI program plans to use digital tools to improve care efficiency and hospital organization.

Food Safety: Morocco has opened its first Mediterranean bivalve purification facility, near Al Hoceima. It can process five tonnes of shellfish weekly, removing harmful substances before products reach consumers. Health Funding: The proposed 2027 budget raises health spending by MAD 3 billion to MAD 45.4 billion and adds 8,000 jobs, with funds for hospital projects, equipment and digital services. Disease Watch: Four Moroccan truck drivers are hospitalized with serious complications after trips to Senegal; the infections have not been diagnosed. Their union is urging vaccination and medical screening at Guerguerat. Care Access: A woman in Morocco reportedly died after waiting 10 hours at a hospital for snake antivenom, highlighting concerns about emergency treatment availability. Digital Health: Morocco’s AI program aims to make care more efficient and improve hospital organization. Pharmaceuticals: Laprophan is moving to acquire drugmaker Polymedic, pending regulatory approval, in a deal that could expand local medicine production and distribution.

Mosquito-Borne Illnesses: Four Moroccan truck drivers are being treated in hospitals in Dakhla and Agadir after suspected infections following trips to Senegal. Their illnesses have not been diagnosed; a transport union is urging vaccinations and medical screening at Guerguerat. Ebola Preparedness: After Nigeria confirmed an Ebola case, Moroccan health expert Tayeb Hamdi said the immediate risk to Morocco is low but called for stronger surveillance, trained teams and clear hospital procedures. Snakebite Emergency Care: A woman in Morocco reportedly died after waiting 10 hours at a hospital without antivenom, renewing concern about access to urgent treatment. Breastfeeding: Morocco has launched its 16th national campaign to promote breastfeeding.

Emergency Care: A woman in her 70s died after a snakebite, following about 10 hours at Tata’s provincial hospital without antivenom; reports also cited a lack of intensive care and anesthesia services. Her death has prompted local protests and calls for answers. Infectious Disease Preparedness: After Nigeria confirmed its first Ebola case in the current outbreak, Moroccan health expert Tayeb Hamdi said the immediate risk to Morocco is low but urged stronger surveillance, trained teams and clear hospital procedures. Diagnostics: Moroccan testmaker GIGALAB has partnered with more than 60 pharmacy unions to promote locally made rapid tests and train pharmacists in their proper use and limits. Pharma Industry: Laprophan plans to acquire Polymedic’s parent company, subject to regulatory approval, as it expands its medicines business. Medical Research: Moroccan neuroscientist Abdeslem El Idrissi was named among the world’s most-cited researchers for a third time, with work that includes autism screening research in Morocco.

Outbreak Watch: Nigeria’s first Ebola case in the current outbreak has prompted Moroccan health expert Tayeb Hamdi to urge stronger screening and hospital readiness, though he says the immediate risk to Morocco is low. France has also reported the first known human Shamonda virus infection; authorities say no risk to the wider public has been identified. Hospital Care: A woman in her 70s died after a snakebite, reportedly waiting about 10 hours at Tata’s provincial hospital without antivenom or intensive care before transfer. The case has sparked protests and renewed concern over rural emergency services. Maternal and Child Health: Morocco’s month-long breastfeeding campaign promotes exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and stronger support for mothers through health services. Access to Testing: Moroccan diagnostic company GIGALAB has partnered with more than 60 pharmacy unions to promote locally made rapid tests, with pharmacist training on safe use and referrals.

Child Health: Morocco’s 16th national breastfeeding campaign runs through November 20, promoting exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and stronger support from health services. Screening Access: GIGALAB has partnered with more than 60 pharmacy unions to promote locally made rapid tests and train pharmacists in safe use, limits and referrals. Medicine Industry: Laprophan plans to acquire Polymedic’s parent company, subject to Competition Council approval, expanding a recent run of pharmaceutical deals. Road Trauma: The Zagora bus crash death toll rose to five; two critically injured passengers were transferred to a Marrakech hospital, while others remain under care. Research: Moroccan neuroscientist Abdeslem El Idrissi made Stanford–Elsevier’s list of the world’s most-cited scientists for a third time; his work includes smartphone-based autism screening trials with Moroccan children. Patient Safety: Moroccan authorities are investigating reports that 15 people lost their sight after medical injections.

Road Safety: Four people were killed and 22 injured when a bus overturned in Zagora province on Wednesday. Authorities have opened an investigation and are monitoring the injured. Child Wellbeing: Morocco’s new government plans to restrict social media and potentially harmful online games for children under 15, ban smartphones in primary schools and expand digital literacy and child-protection services. Health Policy: The 2027 budget draft pledges to expand medical coverage and improve public health services. Eye Safety: Authorities are investigating after 15 people reportedly lost their sight following medical injections; details on the cause have not been released. Disease Watch: The United States has alerted travelers to a small diphtheria outbreak in Morocco. Medical Innovation: A study of 132 robot-assisted prostate surgeries in Morocco reported promising results, with surgeons stressing that the technology supports rather than replaces clinical expertise.

Health Policy: Morocco’s 2027 budget plans to expand medical coverage, improve public health services and increase direct social assistance, according to the government’s newly approved finance bill. Patient Safety: Health authorities are investigating eye inflammation cases at Tangier University Hospital after reports that 15 people lost their sight following injections. Surgical Advances: A study of 132 robot-assisted prostate surgeries in Morocco reports encouraging results, with doctors stressing that the technology supports—not replaces—the surgeon. New Treatments: Moroccan drugmaker Sothema won approval for three cannabis-based medicines to treat epilepsy. Accessible Care: Rabat’s new Lalla Asmaa University for hearing sciences aims to advance inclusive education; the Lalla Asmaa Foundation says it has provided free cochlear implants to more than 1,100 Moroccans.

Eye Health: Morocco’s Health Ministry is investigating eye-inflammation cases at Tangier University Hospital. Separately, reports say 15 people lost their sight after medical injections, prompting an urgent investigation. Healthcare Policy: The new government has pledged to improve access to medical services, while the Competition Council has proposed replacing fixed healthcare tariffs. New Treatments: Moroccan drugmaker Sothema has won approval for three cannabis-based medicines for epilepsy. Inclusive Care: Princess Lalla Asmaa inaugurated a Rabat university focused on hearing sciences; her foundation says it has provided free cochlear implants to more than 1,100 Moroccans. Disease Alert: The United States has alerted its citizens to a small diphtheria outbreak in Morocco.

Eye-care investigation: Moroccan authorities are investigating after reports that 15 people lost their sight following medical injections. The Health Ministry is also probing eye-inflammation cases at Tangier University Hospital. Diphtheria alert: The United States has warned its citizens about a small outbreak in Morocco. Hearing care: Rabat has inaugurated University Lalla Asmaa, a new institution focused on hearing sciences; the Lalla Asmaa Foundation says it has provided free cochlear implants to more than 1,100 Moroccans. Child health: A Moroccan children’s rights group is urging a ban on sweets packaged to resemble cigarettes, warning the designs may normalize smoking for young people. Healthcare access: The new government has pledged to improve access to medical services as part of its 2026–2031 program.

Child Health: Moroccan activists are urging an investigation and ban on sweets packaged like cigarette boxes, warning that the design could make smoking seem appealing to children. Diphtheria Alert: A small outbreak has been reported in Souss-Massa, with one confirmed case and eight under investigation, including two deaths. Health officials urge families to check children’s vaccinations. Eye Safety: Authorities are investigating eye inflammation cases at Tangier University Hospital after reports that 15 people lost vision following injections. New Epilepsy Treatments: Drugmaker Sothema secured approvals for three cannabis-based epilepsy medicines developed with the Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health; they are not yet on sale. Inclusive Care: Rabat’s new University Lalla Asmaa for hearing sciences will support specialist training, building on a foundation program that has provided more than 1,100 free cochlear implants to Moroccans.

Diphtheria Alert: Morocco’s Health Ministry has urged families to check children’s vaccination records after a small outbreak was reported in Souss-Massa. One case was confirmed and eight were under investigation, including two deaths; the US Embassy says the risk to vaccinated visitors is low. Eye-Injection Investigation: Authorities are investigating reports that 15 people lost vision after eye injections, with the Health Ministry also examining inflammation cases at Tangier University Hospital. Epilepsy Treatment: Moroccan drugmaker Sothema won approval for three cannabis-based epilepsy medicines developed with the Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health. They are not yet on sale, and details on prices and insurance coverage have not been announced. Health Leadership: Youns Bjijou has been appointed Morocco’s new health and social protection minister. Inclusive Education: Princess Lalla Asmaa inaugurated a Rabat university focused on hearing sciences, while the Lalla Asmaa Foundation said it has provided free cochlear implants to more than 1,100 Moroccans.

Health Funding: Morocco’s draft 2027 budget promises expanded healthcare coverage and public health services, alongside direct social assistance and MAD 25 billion for regional development. Epilepsy Treatment: Drugmaker Sothema won approval for three cannabis-based epilepsy medicines developed with the Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health. They are not yet on sale, and pricing and reimbursement details remain unclear. Eye Safety: Authorities are investigating after 15 people reportedly lost vision following eye injections; the Health Ministry is also examining eye inflammation cases at Tangier University Hospital. Hearing Care: Princess Lalla Asmaa inaugurated a Rabat university focused on hearing sciences, offering free courses for deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing students. Health Leadership: Youns Bjijou, a medical professor and health-sector executive, has been appointed Morocco’s health and social protection minister.

Medical Cannabis: Moroccan drugmaker Sothema has secured marketing approvals for three cannabis-based epilepsy medicines developed with the Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health. They are not yet on sale, and launch dates and prices have not been announced. Health Policy: The 2027 budget plan promises stronger public healthcare, expanded coverage and more direct social assistance. Youns Bjijou, a medical professor and health administrator, has been appointed health and social protection minister. Inclusive Care: Rabat’s new Lalla Asmaa University for hearing sciences offers free training in hearing care and related fields, bringing deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing students together. The Lalla Asmaa Foundation says it has provided more than 1,100 free cochlear implants to Moroccans. Patient Safety: Authorities are investigating after 15 people reportedly lost their sight following eye injections in Tangier; the Health Ministry is also examining cases of eye inflammation at the university hospital. Healthcare Costs: Morocco’s Competition Council has proposed replacing fixed healthcare tariffs, a move that could reshape how medical services are priced.

Health Leadership: Youns Bjijou, a medical professor and former health-sector executive, has been appointed Morocco’s health and social protection minister in the new government. Inclusive Care and Training: Princess Lalla Asmaa inaugurated a Rabat university offering free hearing-sciences courses to deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing students. The foundation also says more than 1,100 Moroccans have received cochlear implants free of charge. Patient Safety: Authorities are investigating after 15 people reportedly lost their sight following eye injections; the Health Ministry is also probing eye-inflammation cases at Tangier University Hospital. Healthcare Costs: Morocco’s Competition Council has proposed replacing fixed healthcare tariffs, potentially changing how medical services are priced.

Health Leadership: Youns Bjijou, a medical professor and healthcare administrator, is Morocco’s new health and social protection minister, appointed as part of Fatima Zahra El Mansouri’s government. Patient Safety: Health authorities are investigating eye inflammation cases at Tangier University Hospital, amid reports that 15 people lost their sight after receiving medical injections. Hearing Care: Princess Lalla Asmaa inaugurated a Rabat university for hearing sciences, offering free courses and degrees to hearing, deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The foundation also reports that more than 1,100 Moroccans have received cochlear implants free of charge. Healthcare Costs: Morocco’s Competition Council has proposed replacing fixed healthcare tariffs, a change that could reshape how medical services are priced.