Morocco Launches Precision Medicine Hub to Strengthen Rare Disease Care
Rabat, The Gulf Observer: Morocco marked International Rare Disease Day with the launch of a new Precision Medicine Hub at the Mohammed VI International University Hospital Complex in Rabat on Friday. The initiative is a joint project between Fondation Mohammed VI des Sciences et de la Santé (FM6SS) and AstraZeneca.
The newly established Hub aims to enhance the diagnosis, treatment, and care coordination for patients living with rare diseases, while expanding access to advanced medical technologies across the country.
The launch event brought together institutional representatives and members of civil society, including the Moroccan Society of Medical Genetics and the Moroccan Alliance for Rare Diseases. The gathering followed the Memorandum of Understanding signed in July 2025 between FM6SS and AstraZeneca to establish a Rare Diseases Center of Excellence (RD CoE).
Under the agreement, both institutions committed to reducing diagnostic delays, developing structured multidisciplinary care pathways, and integrating genomic and molecular profiling into routine clinical practice.
Rare diseases affect thousands of Moroccans, yet many patients endure lengthy diagnostic journeys, limited access to specialized testing, and fragmented healthcare services. The Precision Medicine Hub seeks to address these challenges by introducing a coordinated national framework that combines advanced diagnostics with multidisciplinary care networks.
During the inauguration ceremony, clinicians, patient representatives, and public decision-makers discussed existing gaps in rare disease management and outlined practical measures to improve patient outcomes.
By positioning FM6SS as a national referral center, the initiative aims to standardize care pathways, establish patient registries, generate real-world data, and strengthen the capacity of healthcare professionals.
Amine Sekhri, Director of AstraZeneca in Morocco, stated that the opening of the Precision Medicine Hub represents a concrete step toward the shared vision of a national Center of Excellence dedicated to rare diseases. He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to reducing diagnostic delays, expanding access to advanced genomic testing, and promoting integrated care models that deliver measurable improvements for patients and their families nationwide.
Saber Boutayeb, Director General of the Mohammed VI Center for Research and Innovation under FM6SS, emphasized that the launch fulfills the foundation’s commitment to advancing precision medicine for individuals living with rare diseases.
The event also underscored the importance of patient engagement. A symbolic “Wall of Handprints” and a dedicated awareness space highlighted patient experiences and reinforced the need for early diagnosis and coordinated treatment strategies.
The initiative reflects a broader public-private partnership that brings together healthcare institutions, medical professionals, industry stakeholders, and patient communities to bridge longstanding gaps in rare disease care in Morocco, while reinforcing the country’s position as a growing hub for medical innovation and healthcare investment.
