24 PERSPECTIVES ON BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS | VOL 42 | 2024 Implementing universal health coverage in Morocco Kate Brown Morocco has made significant improvements over the past decade in its health system. However, there is still a lot to be done before universal health coverage can be fully realized. The movement toward universal health coverage includes creating incentives that encourage doctors to practice in Morocco and increasing salaries to improve the patient–doctor ratio. This article explains the existing health-care system and what needs to be changed before implementing universal health coverage. Introduction The health-care system in Morocco has experienced several progressions over the past decade but still faces a multitude of challenges related to coverage, access, and quality of care. As of 2019, only 70% of the population had medical coverage, and in 2022 only 23% of Moroccans were completely satisfied with the country’s health system, highlighting the necessity for a comprehensive plan that ensures equal access (Kasraoui, 2023, May 25). The life expectancy of Moroccan citizens was 76.3 years in 2018 and is expected to rise to 80.4 years in 2025, indicating that Morocco is moving in the right direction. However, there is still a lot to be done before universal health coverage (UHC) can be fully realized (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021). As a member of the United Nations (UN), Morocco, along with the other 192 UN members, has committed to reaching UHC by 2030 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This agenda, created in September 2015, aims to address existing global inequalities and prevent anyone from being left behind. The agenda encompasses 17 Sustainable Development Goals, with the third goal focusing on “ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages” (UN, 2015). The advancement to UHC includes the creation of incentives to encourage doctors to practice in Morocco and increasing salaries to improve the patient–doctor ratio. Multiple plans have been made in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, health organizations, and King Mohammed VI, but these plans need to be put into action. The driving factor that will enable the full realization of the plans and initiatives will be the availability of funds for health professionals and facilities. Why universal health coverage In 1948, the establishment of the WHO marked a significant milestone in the pursuit of health as a fundamental human right. The WHO is a specialized agency of the UN dedicated exclusively to global health and enhancing health-care access. It operates under a constitution that guarantees equal access to the highest attainable level of health without discrimination based on race, religion, professional status, and socioeconomic status (WHO, 2023, October 5). Morocco, as a member of the UN, is required to reform its existing health coverage system to make health care a fundamental right. The WHO recommends the implementation of UHC to provide affordable medical services, effective and quality care, and essential medications and vaccines, thereby eliminating financial barriers to health care (UN, 2015). UHC makes it possible to access a full range of health-care services, including treatment, preventative care, and rehabilitation. To move toward UHC, health inequalities within a country should be tracked, especially within disadvantaged populations, enabling policymakers to accurately pinpoint areas requiring health-care reform. Subsequently, the data can be utilized to steer the creation of fresh initiatives and regulations. To progress toward UHC, the WHO recommends that health systems transition to a primary health care (PHC) approach, with the potential to deliver 90% of UHC interventions and decrease overall financial hardship (WHO, 2023, October 5). This approach is particularly important in the context of Morocco, where individuals often face the difficult decision of whether or not to seek medical attention due to affordability. doi:10.18275/pbe-v042-005
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