Tuberculosis (TB) patients in Morocco are facing a serious crisis with the shortage of essential medications for their treatment, exacerbating their suffering and threatening severe consequences for public health. Press reports have revealed a sharp reduction in the quantity of medicines dispensed to patients, now only sufficient for one week instead of a full month as was customary.
In statements to “Al Alam” newspaper, several patients confirmed that this shortage of medicines is forcing them to discontinue treatment, posing a significant risk to their health and to society as a whole.
Dr. Tayeb Hamdi, a health expert and researcher in health systems, commented on the situation, stating that tuberculosis remains a major challenge to public health in Morocco. He pointed out that the rate of decrease in TB cases is extremely slow, not exceeding 1% annually between 2015 and 2021, which hinders achieving international goals to eliminate the disease by 2030.
Dr. Hamdi warned that patients stopping treatment due to lack of medicines could lead to the emergence of drug-resistant strains, facilitating wider spread of the disease. He called for the need to address the social and economic determinants contributing to the spread of the disease.
This crisis highlights the urgent need to strengthen the healthcare system in Morocco and ensure continuous provision of essential medicines. It also emphasizes the importance of taking immediate action to protect patients and prevent the deterioration of the general health situation in the country.
The situation sheds light on the critical importance of enhancing Morocco’s healthcare infrastructure and guaranteeing consistent access to vital medications. It also underscores the necessity for urgent measures to safeguard patients and prevent further deterioration of the country’s overall health status.