Agadir 24 | Agadir24
Public hospitals and health services, with the exception of emergency and resuscitation departments, are witnessing a comprehensive national strike starting yesterday, Thursday, as part of the steps approved by the national union coordination in the health sector against the developments brought about by the draft finance law for the year 2025.
According to what union sources confirmed, the strike step demonstrated its “success,” as it witnessed intense participation of more than 90 percent in all health institutions.
The same sources explained that the medical, nursing and administrative bodies expressed their unity in order to address the problems raised, whether it was related to the centralization of wages or maintaining the status of a public employee in general while preserving all the gains.
In response to this issue, Habib Karroum, a member of the national office of the Democratic Organization for Health, revealed that “the scheduled strike was successful in all regions and regions of the Kingdom,” considering that this is due to the fact that “there is a consensus regarding the issues for which this strike was raised by all women and men.” Health in all categories, including nurses, doctors and administrators.”
Karroum added, “All social parties are waiting for a solution to the issues that have angered all health care women and men.”
Noting that “health is a vital sector, and the disruption of its services harms the interests of Moroccan citizens, especially patients who move around in difficult circumstances.”
The same trade unionist expressed his hope that the newly appointed minister at the head of the health sector would succeed in his duties, especially in managing the demands of health workers.
It should be noted that the national union coordination in the health sector had threatened, in parallel with the strike, to engage in an “escalation program of struggle,” which includes “boycotting the implementation of all health programs and boycotting their reports, boycotting mobile units and medical convoys, and boycotting the surgical operations program, with the exception of urgent ones.” In addition to “boycotting specialized medical examinations in hospitals, boycotting the collection of revenues from bills for services provided, and all operations of a purely administrative nature.”
These steps come within the framework of the coordination’s expression of its rejection of what it called “evasiveness and evasion of obligations” in the draft Finance Law 2025 in Chapter Two related to the cost provisions for the general budget, specifically paragraph 3 of Article 23 thereof.
The National Union Coordination in the Health Sector considered that “the developments brought by the Finance Law contradict and violate the first essential point of the July 23, 2024 agreement, which is maintaining the status of an employee and centralizing wages.”
The coordination stressed that “this dangerous and regressive proposal by the government has caused great tension and boiling in the health sector, especially since it violates and contradicts what the government pledged and committed to in the agreement of July 23, 2024, where the first point the government committed to implementing was the reward of wages and the preservation of employee status.” “.
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**Interview with Habib Karroum, Member of the National Office of the Democratic Organization for Health**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Karroum. The recent national strike in Morocco’s public health sector has garnered significant attention. Can you tell us more about the reasons behind this strike?
**Karroum:** Thank you for having me. The strike was initiated as a response to the draft finance law for 2025, which has raised several concerns among healthcare professionals. We are witnessing a comprehensive national strike, with over 90% participation from medical, nursing, and administrative staff in public hospitals. Our unity reflects the widespread dissatisfaction regarding the centralization of wages and the overall status of public employees.
**Interviewer:** That sounds impactful. You mentioned that this strike was a demonstration of unity within the healthcare sector. How do you see this movement evolving?
**Karroum:** Indeed, this strike has shown that all healthcare workers are aligned in their demands. We are all waiting for a resolution to the pressing issues that have led to this discontent. The health sector is vital, and any disruption in services directly affects Moroccan citizens, particularly those in need of urgent medical care.
**Interviewer:** Some might argue that strikes in vital sectors can harm patients. What is your response to this concern?
**Karroum:** I completely understand that perspective. It’s a difficult balance. However, we believe that addressing our fundamental issues is crucial for the long-term improvement of healthcare services. A motivated and well-supported workforce is essential for providing high-quality care to patients. We hope that by taking this stand, we can push for the necessary changes to better serve the public.
**Interviewer:** What are your hopes moving forward, especially with the new minister of health at the helm?
**Karroum:** I sincerely hope that the new minister will be able to address our concerns and facilitate dialogue between the government and healthcare workers. It is essential that our voices are heard and taken into consideration in the decision-making process. Our aim is to create a working environment that allows healthcare professionals to thrive, which in turn will benefit everyone in Morocco.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Mr. Karroum. It’s clear that the healthcare sector in Morocco is at a pivotal moment, and we hope to see positive developments soon.
**Karroum:** Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for a swift resolution for the benefit of all.
