Morocco Expat Health Insurance
The Kingdom of Morocco in North Africa is a constitutional monarchy which achieved independence from France and Spain in the 1950s. The Arabic-speaking country is considered part of the Maghreb region along with Tunisia, Algeria, Mauritania and Libya, and also maintains close commercial links with the Mediterranean countries of southern Europe. The arid Mediterranean climate allows for rich agricultural land closer to the coasts, although topographical variations include the Atlas Mountains to the east and Sahara Desert to the south. The culturally rich area blends European, African and Arabic traditions resulting in unique art, music and cuisine. Economically, Morocco has adopted several liberal reforms and is a major exporter of phosphorous.
Morocco Healthcare System
Life expectancy in Morocco is fairly average for a developed country, 71 years for males and 75 years for females, and has increased steadily since the 1960s. Total annual per capita health expenditure is US$251, about average for the Eastern Mediterranean region and represents about 5.5 percent of GDP. Morocco’s health care workforce is understaffed relative to regional norms and it is one of 57 countries targeted by the WHO as suffering an “acute shortage” of skilled health care providers. In a case of “brain drain”, many skilled health care providers immigrate to Europe in search of greater economic opportunity. There are 6.2 physicians and 8.9 nurses and midwives per 100,000 Moroccans; both of these figures are significantly lower than the regional average. Its varied climate can have a serious impact on the Moroccan economy. Drier years have a negative affect on economic growth, and consequently, health care spending.
There are 2,252 basic health care facilities in Morocco, or 1 per 11,700 Moroccans. This is a vast improvement on the ration of 1 per 29,500 inhabitants in 1960, but access to care remains a major problem for poor rural Moroccans. There are 126 hospitals in Morocco, but equipment and training rarely measure up to developed country standards.
Morocco’s incidence of communicable disease is quite low, with only 1 case of HIV per 1,000 adults, and 109 cases of tuberculosis per 100,000 people, compared with a global average of 201 per 100,000. The burden of communicable diseases has been reduced in line with Morocco’s economic growth, but there has been a concomitant gain in the so-called “diseases of affluence” such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Morocco’s maternal mortality rates are also far below regional and global averages, with 110 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared with 320 in the region and 260 globally. However, this figure is far above developed country norms, and has proven a fairly consistent problem in spite of gains in overall Moroccan health. Less than two thirds of Moroccan births are attended by skilled health care personnel, and less than one third receive basic antenatal care. Inequality reigns in the provision of infant health care, with the wealthiest 20 percent of Moroccans enjoying nearly universal care and the lowest quintile suffering from very limited access to basic care.
In terms of public health infrastructure, nearly all urban Moroccans have access to improved drinking water sources; although only about 60 percent of rural Moroccans have access to clean water. About three fourths of Moroccans have access to improved sanitation facilities, but few of these would measure up to developed country standards.
The WHO Global Alert and Response team has issued a series of health warnings related to Morocco, although the most recent was in 2003 and related to a flu epidemic. Previous outbreaks of meningitis were also reported by the WHO. The global health wing of the UN also has two WHO Collaboration Centres in Morocco: a research centre dedicated to drinking water in Rabat, and a mental health research centre at Ibn Rushd University in Casablanca.
As a developing economy, Morocco is somewhat reliant on foreign aid in the provision of health care. The WHO and the Moroccan Ministry of Health have drafted a Country Cooperation Strategy outlining a roadmap for 2008 – 13. In this joint document, the strategic priorities listed include: public health and health security; protection of vulnerable population groups; intersectoral advocacy for health; and strengthening health system capacity and performance. The document sets out a number of specific measurable objectives to promote the improvement of Moroccan health.
Morocco Travel Advice
Tourism is an increasingly important part of the Moroccan economy, and it is also becoming an attractive destination for expatriate workers and retirees. But travel abroad always carries extra health risks, and the US Center for Disease Control have released guidelines for prospective travelers.
Updating routine immunizations is probably the first step in preparation for a visit to Morocco, including hepatitis, typhoid, and also rabies for those planning to visit rural areas. Insect-borne diseases such as dengue, filariasis and leishmaniasis are also common to the region; long-sleeved clothing and insect repellent are recommended.
Moroccan cuisine is among the world’s finest, but avoid raw and undercooked food and drink only bottled water to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort. Road accidents are also a major health problem for tourists. Be sure to obey the rules of the road; safety belts and helmets should be worn as required in cars or motorbikes.
Although Morocco is rapidly modernizing, there are serious gaps in its health care system, particularly when away from the major cities of Casablanca and Rabat. Serious medical emergencies may require air evacuation to Europe, which can be a very costly and troublesome procedure. Should you be going to Morocco, expat health insurance is a way to comprehensively protect yourself in case of a medical emergency that require air evacuation from remote locations or medical transportation to a high quality medical facility in a nearby country.
Morocco Expat Health Insurance
To give you and your family peace of mind before visiting Morocco, give Global Health Insurance a call. Our range of international health insurance plans can cover maternity, dental, alternative and medical air evacuation from Morocco. Expat health insurance plans we can present to you offer all kinds of options for individuals, families and tour groups. Our advisors are available around the clock to answer any question you may have about international health insurance. Call Global Health Insurance today.
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