One year after the official launch of the Medical Assistance Regime (RAMED), 5.26 million Moroccans are benefiting from the plan.
Despite the recorded constraints, the programme is heading in the right direction, Moroccan Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane said on March 14th.
The programme has provided coverage for around 4,285 people suffering from kidney failure, 7,794 cataract surgeries and 83 specialised medical campaigns in 14 regions, according to data supplied by the ministry of health.
The goal is to reach out to 8.5 million of the most disadvantaged citizens.
The cost for the coverage provided exceeds 2.3 billion dirhams (207 million euros). Thanks to RAMED, citizens can access services free of charge. Major surgery for instance, such as liver or bone marrow transplants, would be included
Difficult access to care, an imbalance in the distribution of the health care supply, as well as a shortage of medication and medical devices, are amongst the issues raised by professionals and citizens.
Additionally, cards are subject to late approval. Many people have been waiting for months to be eligible for the RAMED card.
Fatima Chellabi sent in her application eight months ago and is still waiting for a response.
"I hope they will grant my request soon. I know that being eligible for RAMED won't solve everything. But at least, this system makes it easier for those who don't have an income or social protection," she said.
On the beneficiaries end, many people are complaining.
Sixty-year-old Haj Mohamed said that the RAMED card certainly helps one gain access to clinics and schedule appointments, but it doesn't cover everything.
"You need to buy the medicine and certain devices are very expensive. Furthermore, you have to make a detour from the clinic to the university hospital in order to get care. We are waiting for an improvement of this medical assistance on both a coverage and administrative level," he said.
In this context, Health Minister Houssein El Ouardi said that efforts were being made.
"Budget for medication went from 675 million dirhams (61 million euros) in 2011 to 2.2 billion (198 million euros) in 2013," he said while asking everyone to be patient.
He noted that along with the interior and finance ministries, as well as local and regional players, leaders will try to correct the imbalances so that, eventually, citizens, will have access to quality care.
© Magharebia.com 2013
