فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
On September 20, 2025, the city of Taounate in the Fès-Meknès region of northern Morocco witnessed a large protest march attended by hundreds of residents demanding improvements in healthcare amidst a clear decline in services at the provincial hospital. The protesters also called for enhanced educational services and measures to address the rising cost of living.
The march began at the central municipal square and proceeded to the offices of the Provincial Delegation for Health and Social Protection. Participants chanted for the provision of modern medical equipment and increased medical staff, emphasizing peaceful protest and rejecting any form of violence, while underscoring community solidarity and opposition to ongoing neglect.
Among the main grievances raised by the protesters were the chronic shortage of inspectors and doctors, as well as inadequate medical equipment that forces patients to travel to distant cities like Fès for treatment. Additional concerns included overcrowded schools, deteriorating infrastructure, and soaring living expenses burdening families.
The protesters demanded urgent improvements to the provincial hospital, guaranteed constitutional rights to health and education, and called for greater investment in rural areas to combat persistent social and economic marginalization. They also warned that protests could escalate if these demands remain unaddressed.
Despite local authorities’ efforts, including the reconstruction of the hospital’s protective walls—locally known as “Sir Lafas”—these measures fell short of public expectations, with residents insisting that solutions must go beyond superficial fixes to provide genuine support for infrastructure and medical capacity.
This protest reflects a growing wave of popular activism across Morocco focused on healthcare issues. Despite government plans to improve coverage through mandatory medical programs and infrastructure development, stark disparities persist between major cities and rural regions, particularly in mountainous areas suffering from a severe shortage of medical personnel and equipment.
Organizers from the “Dignity Call Committee,” which coordinated the march, announced additional protest actions, including a planned demonstration on September 27 at Place Al-Fars. This signals potential escalation in demands and increased pressure on government authorities.
The event highlights the ongoing crisis in public services in remote areas and underscores the significant challenges Morocco faces in achieving social and health justice, as the country awaits forthcoming reform measures amid imminent political milestones.
