فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
On the morning of September 20, 2025, Al Ghassani Hospital in Fez witnessed an urgent and rapid cleaning operation that sparked widespread discussion on social media and local news outlets. Reports suggested that hospital staff hurriedly launched the cleanup, possibly anticipating an unannounced visit from the Minister of Health and Social Protection, Khalid Aït Taleb, although no official confirmation of such a visit has been made.
Photos and videos circulated across both supportive and critical social media pages showed cleaning crews and hospital workers scrubbing emergency departments, corridors, and administrative offices, reorganizing supplies, and even repainting walls. This sudden activity hinted at a heightened alert within the hospital, described by some as “an attempt to hide the daily chaos.”
Observers see these events as reflecting growing concerns about the infrastructure of public hospitals in Morocco, amid reports of severe shortages of medical staff and equipment in several healthcare facilities, including Al Ghassani Hospital, which serves over one million residents in the Fès-Meknès region. A 2024 report by the Moroccan Court of Auditors noted that only 60% of public hospitals meet basic hygiene standards due to limited budgets, despite an increase in health spending to 5.7% of GDP in 2025, which remains below the World Health Organization’s recommended 6%.
The Ministry of Health and hospital administration neither confirmed nor denied the minister’s visit, dismissing the rumors as “speculative.” A ministry spokesperson emphasized that inspections occur routinely across all hospitals, with no announced schedule for surprise visits.
This incident coincides with a wave of popular protests in various Moroccan cities, including Taounate and Fez, demanding better healthcare conditions, increased staffing, and improved medical equipment. While local authorities have recently undertaken reconstruction efforts, such as rebuilding hospital walls, critics argue these measures are superficial compared to the actual needs of the healthcare facility.
On social media, hashtags like #UrgentCleaning and #AlGhassaniHospital trended briefly, revealing divided public opinion—some praised the efforts to maintain cleanliness and order, while others viewed it as an attempt to conceal deeper systemic issues.
Overall, this event highlights widespread public concerns about the state of public healthcare and strengthens calls for greater transparency and more substantial investments in Morocco’s health infrastructure, as the country awaits forthcoming reforms that could mark a new chapter for its healthcare system.
