Speaking at a high-level ministerial session, as part of the 2nd International Conference on Public Health in Africa, the Moroccan minister noted that the Moroccan experience was characterized by the unity of the decision source and proactive measures, noting that thanks to the enlightened vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco has managed to take the right decisions.
As soon as the first case of Covid-19 infection was recorded, HM the King gave His High Instructions to take a set of provisions and preventive measures, recalled Ait Taleb, noting that the state of health emergency was declared, while the national health system was supported.
A set of supporting socio-economic measures have been launched, allowing to avoid the worst scenarios in the Kingdom, he said, adding that a joint commission has been formed, consisting of representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Royal Gendarmerie, the military medical services, the Ministry of the Interior and Civil Protection, to monitor the epidemiological situation and take the necessary provisions and preventive measures.
During the first wave of the pandemic, the health system faced many challenges, including the lack of human resources and medical equipment needed, added the government official, explaining that the efforts made during the containment period have strengthened the resilience of the health system and its ability to manage Covid patients, especially in resuscitation units, where beds have increased from 694 to 2,650 in record time.
Significant diplomatic efforts were made during the period of border closures, which allowed for the delivery of a maximum of medical equipment to deal with the pandemic, while local industries were transformed into the production of protective masks and screening tests, he added.
As part of this proactive approach, Morocco was one of the first countries to sign agreements for clinical testing of vaccines against Covid, which has enabled the Kingdom to ensure large quantities of doses, said Ait Taleb, highlighting the success of the vaccination campaign which aimed to ensure collective immunity through vaccination of the largest number of citizens.
