Morocco Health Budget 2027: Additional MAD 2.83 Billion to Accelerate Healthcare Reform and Improve Public Services
Rabat, The Gulf Observer: Morocco will inject an additional MAD 2.83 billion ($289 million) into its health budget for 2027, as the government moves to accelerate healthcare reforms and raise the quality of public medical services across the Kingdom. The boost to the Morocco health budget 2027 comes on top of the ministry’s existing allocation of MAD 45.4 billion ($4.64 billion).
Health and Social Protection Minister Youns Bjijou announced the additional funding on Tuesday before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Social Sectors, where he presented his department’s proposed budget for next year.
How the Additional Funds Will Be Allocated
The new resources will be directed to three main areas: MAD 945 million ($96.5 million) to support the management of territorial health groups (GSTs), MAD 860.7 million ($87.9 million) in investment payment appropriations, and more than MAD 1.022 billion ($104.4 million) in commitment appropriations, part of which will be disbursed in 2028.
Minister Bjijou outlined seven interconnected priorities that will guide the use of these resources, with an emphasis on improving access to healthcare and making public health services more responsive to local needs.
Restructuring the Healthcare System
A central pillar of the reform concerns the organisation of the healthcare system. The ministry plans to extend territorial health groups nationwide, complete the operational setup of health governance institutions, and link funding more closely to performance and the quality of care.
The plan also seeks to strengthen primary healthcare. Family doctors will serve as the first point of contact for patients, taking on greater responsibility for prevention, regular medical follow-ups and referrals to specialised services.
Four New University Hospitals Planned
Hospital infrastructure remains a major component of the government’s health agenda. The ministry has adopted a national health map to identify where medical facilities and services are most needed.
Under this plan, four new university hospitals will be established in Beni Mellal, Guelmim, Errachidia and Casablanca. Rehabilitation work will also continue at 1,600 primary healthcare facilities and 90 provincial and regional hospitals.
The government further aims to tackle the everyday difficulties patients face at public health facilities, including long waiting times, problems securing appointments, and inadequate reception and guidance services. The ministry plans to improve appointment management and patient orientation while gradually expanding emergency medical assistance through the 141 hotline.
Target of 35 Health Professionals per 10,000 People
Staff shortages and the uneven distribution of medical personnel remain key challenges for Morocco’s healthcare system. Minister Bjijou said the ministry would work to improve working conditions for healthcare professionals and allocate staff according to the specific needs of each region.
The government aims to reach 35 healthcare professionals per 10,000 inhabitants by 2031, a target that underscores the central role of human resources in the success of the wider reform.
Prevention will also receive greater attention through expanded early-detection programmes, stronger epidemiological surveillance, improved treatment services and better preparedness for health emergencies. The strategy places particular importance on mental health and psychiatric care.
Medicine Security and Digital Transformation
The ministry intends to strengthen national capacity to secure essential medical supplies and reduce reliance on external sources. Its priorities include supporting domestic production of medicines and vaccines, improving the blood transfusion system, and managing medicine stocks more effectively at the regional level to limit the risk of shortages.
Digital tools will underpin the broader reform through an integrated health information system, shared medical records and a national health identification number.
Minister Bjijou said the additional budget would help speed up these projects and ensure their impact is reflected in better access to healthcare and narrower gaps between regions. The key test, observers note, will be translating the new resources and announced reforms into tangible improvements for patients, particularly in areas where access to doctors, hospitals and specialised care remains limited.
