Agadir Hospital Crisis Deepens Pressure on Moroccan Health Minister, possibly Threatening Akhannouch’s Political Future
Agadir – A health scandal involving teh deaths of eight women at Hassan II Hospital in Agadir is intensifying scrutiny of Moroccan Health Minister Anass Doukkali and, critically, Prime Minister aziz Akhannouch, raising questions about Akhannouch’s long-held focus on the health sector and its potential cost to his political career.
The crisis erupted after young doctors broke a code of silence, sharing videos on social media detailing troubling conditions at the hospital. Mohamed Reda taoujni, a whistleblower, highlighted years of unaddressed concerns, stating he had cried out for seven years without response from local or ministerial authorities.
Initial reaction to the deaths was marked by silence from both Akhannouch and Doukkali, a period coinciding with preparations for the inauguration of a new university hospital center (CHU) in Agadir - a move widely perceived as an electoral calculation. Though, the inauguration failed to quell public outrage; over 2,000 citizens took to the streets, citing personal experiences with the hospital dubbed the “death hospital.”
Akhannouch dispatched a regional director to address the situation, but the response was met with further anger.Sources indicate that crown prince Moulay El Hassan intervened, requesting measures be taken not only in Agadir but across all public hospitals in the kingdom.
Doukkali, described as “pale-faced,” is bearing the brunt of criticism for systemic failures predating his tenure, including those attributed to the previous Justice and Advancement Party (PJD) government. A past statement by former Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane – “The state must raise their hands on health and education” – is resurfacing as a point of contention.
The agadir crisis is particularly significant as it unfolds in Akhannouch’s home city, a key base of his political support. Observers note a pattern: Akhannouch’s pursuit of control over the health ministry,a sector he has demonstrably prioritized,is now linked to a major political setback. Questions are being raised about his motivations – whether driven by vanity, competition with private healthcare groups like akdital, financial interests, or a desire to maintain influence over a strategically significant portfolio.
currently, Doukkali is undertaking a nationwide tour of public hospitals, facing the consequences of the system’s shortcomings. Each public appearance and silence from his minister adds to the pressure on Akhannouch, potentially jeopardizing his political future. The situation underscores a central irony: a leader focused on health now facing a crisis that threatens to define his downfall.
