Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch highlighted, on Thursday in Marrakech, the innovative approach in the reform of the health sector in Morocco.
“In compliance with the High Royal Directives, the health sector is currently undergoing an innovative reform process that will enable it to establish a robust health system, with strategic institutions capable of efficiently and resiliently addressing current and future challenges,” said Akhannouch at the official opening ceremony of the 2nd African Conference on Health Risk Reduction.
In this regard, he emphasized that the achievements made under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic have bolstered the resilience of the national health system in the face of health crises. The coordinated efforts of various departments and partners have enabled more effective and efficient management of these crises.
The Head of Government underscored the importance of this year’s event theme, “Health in Africa: Water, Environment, and Food Security”, highlighting the close relationship between these three elements and the health and well-being of African populations. He stressed the necessity of pooling efforts and taking collective action to strengthen health and environmental security in Africa.
Water, the environment, and food security face significant challenges, especially in the current context marked by the adverse consequences of environmental degradation on the health of Africans and the planet, the government chief noted. He added that the prevention of health risks is vital in reducing illnesses and deaths resulting from environmental degradation, water quality issues, and malnutrition. This strategy also helps alleviate the burden on the healthcare system and the economic strain on families, health insurance institutions, and state resources.
Given the environmental and climatic challenges worldwide, Akhannouch emphasized the importance of transforming food systems and agri-food value chains to enhance sustainability and resilience, ensuring the country’s food security. Water security is a crucial prerequisite for achieving food sovereignty, especially as Morocco has been grappling with an exceptional drought for over five years due to climate change. This has placed increased pressure on food systems, making them more vulnerable to economic and environmental shocks.
Akhannouch mentioned the government’s increased investment in the National Program for Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation 2020-2027 and noted that the Executive is developing a new vision to establish a strategic water reserve through this program, supporting the country’s food sovereignty.
He also highlighted Morocco’s efforts to ensure a consistent supply of essential food items to the national market, double the gross domestic product of agriculture, and improve the living conditions of farmers, while prioritizing the protection of citizens’ health and food product safety through various institutions, including the National Office for Food Safety.
This international conference, placed under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, aims to shed light on the reality of health and food safety systems in Africa. It seeks to develop a common African framework based on country experiences and expert opinions in the field of public health. Additionally, it aims to discuss effective measures for preventing and mitigating the humanitarian, social, political, and economic effects of health crises.
Source: Agency Morocaine De Presse