Morocco Emphasizes the Role of Health Sovereignty in its Development Trajectory
Economy
The Prime Minister of Morocco, Aziz Akhannouch, highlighted the importance of health sovereignty in the country's development trajectory during a panel discussion at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi.
He emphasized that Morocco has chosen to prioritize health sovereignty through several strategic priorities, including the universalization of compulsory health insurance, which now covers 88% of the Moroccan population, and the restructuring of the national healthcare system through improved governance, upgraded healthcare services, and significant investment in human resources.
Akhannouch also mentioned the establishment of a sustainable healthcare financing system, leveraging public resources and public-private partnerships, as well as investing in local pharmaceutical production, which enables Morocco to cover over 70% of its national needs.
The convergence of these aspects (social, governance, industrial, and financial) enables Morocco to achieve a structural catch-up in its healthcare systems, Akhannouch argued, emphasizing that healthcare is no longer just a social sector, but a matter of security, economic stability, and, above all, state sovereignty and sovereign investment.
The Prime Minister noted that recent international health alerts remind us that epidemiological challenges remain a major strategic challenge and highlight the need to strengthen our surveillance and coordination capabilities while consolidating our healthcare systems.
In this spirit, Morocco has joined the National Health Compact, reflecting its commitment to aligning its national priorities with global health objectives.
Morocco also supports the missions of the African Medicines Agency and the Africa CDC, as well as its commitment to the Vaccine Alliance and cooperation with other multilateral and bilateral partners, Akhannouch said.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Morocco supports the emergence of stronger, more resilient, and more equitable healthcare systems on the continent, adding that the future of healthcare systems in Africa depends on the scope of our collective commitment.
The Africa Forward Summit brings together several heads of state and government to discuss the perspectives of strengthening partnerships between Africa and France, with a focus on promoting balanced and concrete partnerships, including cross-investments, economic development, training, and joint responses to global challenges.