MOROCCO – The Kingdom of Morocco has secured US$450 million in loan financing from the World Bank to improve access to healthcare services for the entire population.
This loan comes after Morocco secured €120 million (nearly US$130 million) in results-based financing from African Development Bank to improve access to healthcare services for all.
The Board of Directors of the World Bank approved the US$450 million Program-for-Results loan agreement as part of the Group’s efforts to help governments achieve universal health coverage (UHC) by 2030.
Following the formal board approval, the Government of Morocco will use these funds to support the implementation of an ambitious health reform aimed at improving access to quality public health services for all individuals.
Morocco will use part of the latest results-based financing to improve responsiveness at all health system levels in the country.
What’s more, part of this new funding will be reserved for improving the availability of high-quality health services and expanding healthcare coverage to communities in under-served areas.
The Moroccan government will also disburse some of this money to strengthen the healthcare workforce, improve the governance of the country’s health system, and enhance patient experiences.
The government is set to accelerate the implementation of reforms targeted at decentralizing systems, improving payment modalities, and strengthening platforms for the knowledge transfer of health data.
The latest results-based financing will pave the way for better health outcomes, exceptional health service delivery, and economic benefits for all individuals across Morocco.
This contribution will help speed up the government’s implementation of its strategic plan known as Santé (Health) 2025, which aims to improve people’s access to quality healthcare.
Morocco’s Health 2025 Plan focuses on extending protection against health risks through the generalization of health insurance and pensions, creating a social assistance system targeted at the most vulnerable families, overhauling the health sector, and reforming the public education system.
By 2025, Morocco plans to invest in organizational initiatives to expand available care and improve access, strengthen national health programmes and campaigns against specific diseases, and improvements in governance and the allocation of resources in the health sector.
These strategic moves will build on the World Bank’s longstanding engagement in the health sector and current support of the demand-side social protection expansion.
On his part, Jesko Hentschel, Country Director for the Maghreb and Malta at the World Bank, said: “Improving access to quality healthcare for all is an essential condition for inclusive socio-economic development and human capital accumulation.”
Morocco is rolling out one of the most ambitious and comprehensive health system reform in the world, which is a clear reflection of its commitment to building human capital.
The program covers health staff training, performance-based rewards, the promotion of health equity, and the accessibility of quality health care services.
In turn, the program is projected to improve access to high-quality primary health services and routine quality of care evaluations at the regional level.
This Moroccan program brings a multifaceted approach to healthcare delivery aligning with the supply-side health system redesign championed by the World Bank.
Aligned with Moroccan national priorities, the World Bank program will also strengthen the health system’s capacity to cope with climate vulnerability and emphasize gender equity and citizen engagement.
The new loan agreement is projected to set a solid foundation for a high-quality healthcare system that will continuously measure up to standards of care and improve access and quality of care for all.
Moreover, Morocco’s Health 2025 Plan is well aligned with the World Bank’s strategy for health, nutrition, and population.
For all the latest healthcare industry news from Africa and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, and YouTube Channel, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, and like us on Facebook.
