Morocco Health Insurance

The Kingdom of Morocco is located on the northwest coast of Africa, with roughly 8 miles of Mediterranean Sea separating it from Spain and the Strait of Gibraltar. The country’s land borders are shared with Algeria and Mauritania. Morocco’s land mass covers an area totaling 710,850 square kilometers and it has an approximate population of 32 million people.

Morocco’s territory is one of the most diverse in Africa, with fertile agricultural land close to the coastlines of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. There are also vast mountain ranges in the east of the country while the western portion of the vast Sahara Desert can be found to the south. Morocco has experienced many foreign powers visiting its shores and independence from the final remaining colonial power, France, was achieved in 1956. Culturally, Morocco has many African, Arab and European influences and it has developed its own distinctive North African cuisine, music and art. Morocco has a liberal economy heavily dependent on the export of phosphorus, while the services sector accounts for approximately 50 percent of the country’s GDP.

Morocco Health Care and Insurance

Independence from France was a momentous occasions for all Moroccan citizens although considerable work within the country’s economic, social and political systems was required. Health care services were insufficient for a country and population of Morocco’s size and redevelopment of the sector culminated with the introduction of a national Moroccan health insurance scheme, officially known as The National Fund of Social Providence Organizations (CNOPS) in 2005. This Morocco health insurance scheme aims to provide adequate health services for all employed citizens, including civil and public servants. There are three individual sectors within the health industry, namely public, semi-public and private. The Ministry of Health (MOH) provides public health services to the majority of Moroccan citizens through its network of facilities, while employers and employees can access semi-public services through the CNOPS scheme. The private sector consists of a number of clinics and hospitals mainly located in Morocco’s main cities. Cash payments are required from tourists, expatriates and non-nationals should they seek medical attention in Morocco; purchasing a Morocco health insurance policy is therefore strongly advised.

Although the number of public health facilities throughout Morocco has dramatically increased, there remains a wide inequality between the standard of facilities and services available in cities such as the capital Rabat and Casablanca and those in rural areas. A majority of doctors, specialists and health personnel are based in these larger urban areas and this has resulted in rural citizens being required to travel large distances to receive specialist treatment. As the Moroccan population continues to grow, public health facilities have been unable to keep pace and many clinics and hospitals are now overcrowded and long waiting times are the norm. 6 million citizens seek medical assistance each year yet there are only 24,000 hospital beds in the entire country, a very worrying statistic.

Private health facilities are, again, generally found in the cities of Alexandra and Rabat and a higher standard of health care is readily available at these locations. Private clinics are adequately equipped with both technology and personnel and offer a reduced waiting time for many of their services. Some complicated procedures are unavailable, however, and require air evacuation to either France or Spain in order for a patient to receive ongoing treatment. Private health care costs are also quite expensive in comparison to public health facilities; medical costs for evacuation and specialist treatment in Europe are extremely high. Including a provision for air evacuation in your international Morocco health insurance policy is recommended.

Morocco Travel Insurance Concerns

Morocco has received substantial financial and medical assistance from international donors and organizations including the European Union, United States, World Bank and the World Health Organization. Much of this funding has been dependent on the Moroccan Ministry of Health improving health care coverage for all citizens, something it has been unable to do to a great extent. With extra financing available for health care, the construction of new hospitals, clinics and extensive reconstruction of the current health infrastructure was envisaged, yet many buildings are still in urgent need of repair and modernization of equipment. Allegations of misappropriation of funds and corruption within the health sector have been raised numerous times and without transparent confirmation of how international funds were spent, public confidence in the health system remains low.

Tourists and expatriates visiting Morocco or the North African region for the first time are advised to consult with a travel health specialist four weeks prior to arrival in the country. A number of diseases and illnesses are prevalent to the region including Rabies, Typhoid and Hepatitis A and B while the routine vaccination should be updated if required. Incidents of disease spread through the bite of infected insects such as Dengue fever, leishmaniasis and filariasis occur regularly throughout the year and precautions to reduce exposure to insect bites should be adopted. Wearing long sleeve clothing, using bed nets and using an insect repellant are all advised.

Morocco Expat Health Insurance

A reasonable standard of health care is available in the large cities of Rabat, Alexandra and Marrakech. Standards of medical treatment tend to decrease considerably in less developed and rural areas. Treatments and services at public health facilities are unreliable and expatriates and tourists are advised to use private health facilities should medical attention be required. Medical costs, particularly those at private health clinics or hospitals are quite expensive; hence purchasing a Morocco international medical insurance policy is strongly advised. Expat Medical Insurance can help you choose which insurance plan is best suited to your particular needs. For more information on Morocco international health insurance, global health insurance or to receive a free quote, please contact one of our advisors today.

Limited health care is available in the Morocco Islands with many specialist or complex medical cases requiring evacuation to a country with up to date medical equipment and facilities, usually Hawaii. Air evacuation costs are extremely expensive and Hawaii is approximately 3,000 kilometers away from Majuro. Health insurance policies can be tailored to include certain provisions such as emergency air evacuation and advisors at Expat Health Insurance can assist you choose the insurance policy that is best suited to your particular needs. For information on Morocco Islands health insurance, international health insurance plans or to receive a free quote, please contact an Expat Health Insurance advisor today.