Morocco to Become First African Country to Extend Social Protection to All its Citizens (Renaud-Basso)

25 mai 2021 Printable Version

Casablanca - Morocco is set to become the first African country to extend social protection to all its citizens, president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Odile Renaud-Basso, said.

"This very important and real project will have direct and tangible effects on the improvement of the living conditions of citizens," said Renaud-Basso in an interview with MAP. She is on her first official visit, in virtual format, to Morocco (May 24-25).

The project will provide new health care benefits to Moroccan artisanal workers such as farmers, craftsmen and other independent private employees, she added.

Renaud-Basso also emphasized that as part of this program, Morocco will open its health sector to investment. "Some of the challenges facing the health sector will be addressed by opening it to foreign investment and experts," she noted.

"We estimate that Morocco currently needs an additional 35,000 doctors and 57,000 nurses to meet World Health Organization standards," said EBRD head.