Morocco and China are discussing the establishment of a Chinese-Moroccan center for traditional medicine in Casablanca, part of the projects planned under the “Belt and road” initiative.
The creation of the center was discussed at a meeting in Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Sunday between Chinese officials and the Moroccan delegation, led by Health Minister Anas Doukkali, to the second Chinese-Arab health forum held in Beijing last week.
Officials from the Chinese National Health Commission who made a presentation before the Moroccan delegation said the center, to be set up in Casablanca, will specialize in traditional medicine in its three dimensions, namely treatment, training and scientific research.
The institution would be a reference center in North Africa, the Chinese officials said.
Anas Doukkali on his part stressed the importance of opening up to the Chinese experience in the field of traditional medicine, noting that Morocco has a big potential in the field of medicinal plants that should be further developed.
He said the University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Shanghai and Hassan II University of Casablanca will sign an agreement to establish training sessions in this area.
The Moroccan delegation also visited a university hospital in Shanghai that combines traditional Chinese medicine and modern medicine, to get informed about this new practice as well as about the Chinese expertise in running public hospitals.
During his visit, Anas Doukkali also conferred with his Chinese peer Ma Xiaowei.
In a presentation to the second edition of the Chinese-Arab Health Forum, Doukkali surveyed the fundamental reforms conducted by Morocco in recent years and the “Health Plan 2025” roadmap.
The roadmap seeks to strengthen national health programs, establish a comprehensive and integrated development model aimed at meeting the priority needs of citizens in terms of health services. It also seeks to address territorial disparities and reach greater social justice.
Morocco intends to generalize basic medical coverage, which now covers 62% of Moroccans, to include the self-employed and the liberal professions.
Despite the progress made, the implementation of health system reforms faces challenges in terms of human resources and quality of service, Doukkal conceded. To overcome these obstacles, the ministry is moving towards the management of regional hospital structures as more independent entities that are open to the integration of new digital technologies, he said.
Participants in the forum approved the “Beijing Initiative” designed to bolster health cooperation between China and Arab nations this year.