Morocco Pushes for African Health Sovereignty through South-South Cooperation
Economy
Morocco is advocating for a health sovereignty model in Africa based on South-South cooperation, according to the country's health minister, Amine Tehraoui.
Speaking at the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Tehraoui emphasized the need for a health model tailored to Africa's priorities and realities, built on investment, integration, solidarity, and expertise sharing.
The health minister highlighted that rethinking global health requires moving beyond short-term responses to a shared and sustainable responsibility, founded on solidarity, equitable access to innovations and vaccines, and strengthening healthcare systems' resilience to health crises and climate change effects.
Tehraoui noted that health has become a matter of sovereignty, security, stability, and development.
He recalled that Morocco is undertaking a comprehensive healthcare reform, focusing on expanding health coverage, modernizing governance, strengthening healthcare services, valuing human resources, and digitalization.
These efforts have enabled Morocco to achieve a health coverage rate of around 88% of the population.
The health budget has seen a 30% increase in one year, while Morocco now produces millions of doses of locally manufactured vaccines, thanks to strategic investments and technology transfer partnerships.
Emphasizing Morocco's commitment to South-South cooperation, the minister reaffirmed the country's support for African health sovereignty and strengthened healthcare systems.
He advocated for an African health model adapted to the continent's priorities and realities, based on investment, integration, solidarity, and expertise sharing.
The Moroccan delegation's participation in the assembly confirms the country's willingness to strengthen its presence in global health governance and its role as a regional and continental health cooperation bridge.
The Moroccan health minister's push for African health sovereignty through South-South cooperation is crucial for the continent's healthcare systems, which face significant challenges in terms of access to healthcare, vaccine distribution, and healthcare infrastructure development.
This initiative has the potential to promote healthcare innovation, improve healthcare outcomes, and enhance the resilience of African healthcare systems in the face of global health crises and climate change.
The Moroccan model, built on investment, integration, solidarity, and expertise sharing, could serve as a blueprint for other African countries seeking to strengthen their healthcare systems and achieve health sovereignty.")