The Foundation of Liberal Medical Teachers (FEML) has sounded the alarm about the exodus of Moroccan medical skills. This brain drain, in terms of the generalization of medical coverage, is hurting his sector too much.
Indeed, on the sidelines of the 28th edition of the International Publishing and Book Fair, organized from June 01 to 11, 2023 in Rabat, the FEML, which presented a book on this theme, made a detailed inventory of the question. The book is inspired by a conference given in April 2022 on the same theme. ” In this book, we have collected the main recommendations and ideas that were discussed during the day organized by the FEML on April 23, 2022 “, declared to this effect Pr Mouhcine El Bakkali ophthalmologist, Secretary General of the FEML and coordinator, co-author of the book.
It goes without saying that, year after year, Morocco observes a bleeding of white coats abroad and this phenomenon of “migration” which is becoming more and more widespread is becoming worrying since it affects even the liberal sector. All categories combined, there are between 12,000 and 14,000 practicing abroad, ie one out of three Moroccan doctors.
Also, indicates the book, it is a chronic deficit in medical skills that Morocco is experiencing. The Kingdom is indeed far from WHO (World Health Organization) recommendations and standards. They are only 7.3 doctors instead of 23 per 10,000 inhabitants who can provide access to health coverage by respecting the necessary measures of the WHO, of which the factor or human capital is the essential factor. The Kingdom fails even to reach the world average estimated at 13 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants
FEML involves this 5-factor deficit. The low training capacity (2,000 instead of 3,000) seems to be the main cause, especially since it is linked to a chronic lack of teaching doctors who are becoming increasingly rare. The Foundation also makes the sad observation of a permanent exodus at different levels of the course (before and after the baccalaureate, after the doctorate and after the speciality.
The Foundation notes the low recovery capacity of Moroccan doctors residing abroad (lack of attractive policy). What’s more the new law authorizing foreign doctors to practice in Morocco has apparently not produced the expected results. One year after its application there have been less than a dozen requests for foreign doctors to settle in Morocco).
Moreover, the poor geographical distribution plays a major role in the drastic reduction following the phenomenon of the exodus of Moroccan doctors. But other causes support these massive departures, according to the survey carried out by the FEML, including material motivation, a search for fulfillment in working conditions, conflicts with the hierarchy and/or the Administration, family reasons…
As a result, each year, 600 to 700 doctors (30%) of those currently trained exchange their gowns for other skies. The document further states that “ this exodus concerns all categories of the medical sector, from medical students to medical specialists and teachers. 80% of doctors in training (residents) volunteer and refuse to join the public sector, or even worse, almost all specialized doctors in the public sector refuse to extend their activity in the public sector after the end of their training .
Morocco has just over 30,000 doctors who practice, half between the public and private sectors. 40% are general practitioners and 60% are specialists. The number of foreign doctors does not exceed 320 (1.1%). Universities train 2,200 doctors annually, which is considered low, despite the great efforts made to build university hospitals. In 2022, their extension has come up against numerous obstacles throughout, such as the lack of human resources (exacerbated by the program of voluntary departures and resignations), that of practical training as well as that of technical resources at high cost. and the mismatch between training capacity and numbers.
Among the major challenges for the FEML is also the tendency of Moroccan society to age. By 2030, the number of people aged over 60 will reach just over six million, an increase of 42% compared to 2021 and this will represent 15.4% of the population.
This brain drain casually provides information on the policy to be followed in this sector from whichthe need to reduce this migratory flow of doctors by acting on the factors that annoy. Offering adequate social security and a better career plan in line with other countries is essential in order to preserve and retain this human capital composed of young graduates who aspire to a better quality of life and a better working environment.