Casablanca healthcare reform dominates legislative election campaigns

As the legislative election campaign intensifies in Casablanca ahead of the September 23, 2026, elections, healthcare has emerged as a central issue in public debate. Candidates are focusing on addressing long-standing service inequalities and infrastructure gaps.

Ahmed Brija, a candidate for the Authenticity and Modernity Party in the Sidi Bernoussi Sidi Moumen district, has highlighted structural flaws in the health system. He argued that the focus must shift from merely expanding infrastructure to establishing a “competitive public hospital” model capable of matching private sector services.

Brija noted that the primary challenges involve human resources and governance rather than just buildings. He emphasized that improving the conditions for medical staff, including doctors and nurses, is essential to prevent brain drain and ensure quality care for vulnerable populations who rely heavily on public hospitals. In the Sidi Bernoussi district, which has approximately 700,000 residents, the current reliance on a single provincial hospital has led to overcrowding and a shortage of medical specialties.