Education & Health

Morocco has made great strides in boosting school enrolment, and ensuring access to education has been a primary goal in recent decades. However, the chief challenge over the medium terms is ensuring finish their studies with not just academic qualifications, but also the skills needed to successful enter and contribute to the labour force. In the wake of the Arab Spring, Moroccan citizens approved a new constitution that promised a range of rights, including universal health care and access to quality health services. The authorities have since taken a number of steps to increase coverage, reduce costs, improve quality, and extend services in rural and otherwise isolated areas. Challenges remain in rural areas, however, and funding efforts are likely to be concentrated on building new health facilities and addressing the significant staff shortages that leave some clinics and hospitals in disuse.

Ayman Cheikh-Lahlou, President, Moroccan Pharmaceutical Industry Association, and CEO, Cooper Pharma; and Nawal Chraibi, Acting CEO, Moroccan Foundation for Advanced Science, Innovation and Research.