In this regard, El Otmani received the representative of the petition for an anti-cancer public fund and his deputy, to whom he gave a note about the measures that the government intends to undertake in response to this petition, according to a press release from the Head of government's Department.

The government commits itself to take alternative and immediate measures to support people suffering from this disease through the adoption of the National Cancer Prevention and Treatment Plan 2020-2029, which will be launched soon and is aimed at reducing the incidence and cancer-related mortality rates besides improving the patients' and their families' quality of life, he said.

El Otmani also mentioned the generalization of vaccination against cervical cancer for all girls aged 11, which will target 350,000 girls annually to eradicate this type of cancer, given the fact that Morocco records 1,500 new cases each year and that treatment requires 100,000 dirhams per case, the press release explained.

The government's commitments also include turning the National Institute of Oncology into a public institution with financial and administrative autonomy, and strengthening its missions and prerogatives in the areas of research, studies and training.

It was also decided to create a National Cancer Prevention and Control Committee, which will be chaired by the Head of government and will include institutional players, professionals and representatives of the civil society. The new body will be in charge of ensuring the follow-up of this major project and guaranteeing its governance, the same source added.

El Otmani also welcomed the petition for the said Fund and thanked all its members and signatories in Morocco and abroad, describing this initiative a democratic practice that requires the collaboration of all for its success.

The examination of this petition was an opportunity to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the prevention and treatment of cancer in Morocco and to focus on the achievements and the shortcomings, he said, assuring that the government's objective is to make every effort to alleviate cancer-related suffering and facilitate treatment.