Water-saving scheme 'a success' in Morocco

A project to reduce water use at hotels and guest houses in Morocco has reportedly been a success.

The Moroccan National Tourist Office (MNTO) revealed that an initiative it is pursuing with the Travel Foundation has helped accommodation providers in Marrakech and Essaouira reduce their water consumption by up to 25% this year.

One year's worth of savings under the scheme is thought to be the equivalent of the annual water consumption of a village of 2,000 people.

Ali El Kasmi, director of the MNTO in London, said: 'Our vision of responsible and sustainable tourism goes beyond plans and strategies - it is reflected in the action taken by businesses and the results they get.

'Our partnership with the British Travel Foundation … has already achieved substantial water savings and these results will be important to guide future projects for this partnership in 2010 and beyond.'

So far, 46 hotels and 44 guest houses have been audited, some of which have implemented water-saving methods including regular checks for leaks and the use of flow reducers.

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Morocco eyes changes to pricing of medicines

Medicines are too costly in Morocco, and the responsibility for setting prices must be removed from the Ministry of Health, according to a recently published parliamentary committee report.

To make medicines affordable, drug prices should be determined by a new government body, says the report, which was released on November 3rd. This body would consist of representatives from the Health Ministry, health insurance companies, professional bodies and the country's Council on Competitiveness.

The report's authors found that name-brand drugs usually cost more in Morocco than they do in other countries. Prices in Tunisia can be 30 to 189% lower than in Morocco, and France offers name-brand drugs at rates that are 20-70% lower.

Prices within Morocco for the same drug also fluctuate wildly, depending on which company brands it (a 600% difference) and where it is sold (a 300% difference).

Generic drugs, though cheaper than name-brand medicines, are also more expensive in Morocco than they are in Tunisia or France, according to the parliamentary report. Nevertheless, most Moroccans purchase the more expensive drugs, as these are the type most frequently prescribed by doctors.

Health Minister Yasmina Baddou acknowledged that the procedures for setting drug prices are outdated and need to be revised.

The parliamentary committee also recommends that AMO, one of Morocco's largest health insurance bodies, no longer reimburse customers for purchasing the most expensive drugs.

The committee, which has been researching the high price of medicines since last February, also argued strongly for the promotion of generic medicines to lower the rising cost of prescriptions.

MP Reda Benkhaldoun faulted the pharmaceutical industry and the procedures created by the Drug Price Regulation Authority for the high cost of medicine in Morocco.

Benkhaldoun called the issue "of the utmost importance, especially for people without health insurance who can't afford the medication to treat illnesses".

"Even those Moroccans lucky enough to be covered by the AMO and RAMED health insurance plans risk becoming unable to afford the cost of prescribed medications in the medium term," added the law-maker.

The head of the country's Pharmaceutical Industry Association, Ali Sedrati, said manufacturers are committed to lowering prices. However, "a number of measures need to be put in place to encourage the sector", he added.

"Seventy percent of the drugs sold in Morocco are manufactured locally," said Sedrati. "If we take action to boost consumption by improving access to treatment and compulsory health insurance, and if we lay down clear rules, prices will fall."

"If consumption doubles, prices will drop by 30%," claimed the industry official.

The parliamentary report also urges Moroccan policy-makers to look to Tunisia for a viable model on which to create a drug-pricing method.

"Tunisia has adopted a drug policy that has helped lower prices by relying primarily on a system for centralising purchases," the report states. It cites Tunisia's example of using centralised government bodies to negotiate "reasonable" prices by buying medications in bulk, and of encouraging suppliers to compete through tenders.

By Siham Ali for Magharebia in Rabat

Swine flu forces school closures in Morocco

The swine flu pandemic has arrived in Moroccan schools, with 252 cases now identified across the kingdom. The first case of the current outbreak was detected in Fes on October 23rd.

Affected schools have been temporarily closed in Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir and Marrakesh. All of the closed schools are private academies; a nationwide school closure is not anticipated, according to Omar Meneazhi, Director of Epidemiology at the Ministry of Health.

"The situation is bound to get worse before it gets better," he warned. "But we're managing to keep it under control. Monitoring committees have been set up to evaluate the situation and apply appropriate strategies."

The Morocco school-wide infection is believed to have begun in a Fes private school, after one student returned from a holiday in France, where he contracted the virus and infected nine students. It then spread to schools in Casablanca and Rabat, where dozens of schoolchildren have fallen ill. One private school in Fes and another private school in Casablanca are now closed until further notice.

All infected students are exhibiting minor symptoms of the disease and have not required hospitalisation.

Health ministry officials called on parents to take their children to the nearest hospital should they develop flu symptoms, and refrain from sending them to school where they could possibly infect other children.

However, doctors urged parents not to panic. "It's like seasonal flu, but it just spreads a little more rapidly," said Mustapha Hida, who heads the paediatric department at Hassan II University Hospital in Fes. "Hygiene must be maintained to provide protection, particularly by keeping hands clean."

"Morocco is at the top of Arab countries that have successfully controlled the spread of swine flu," said Health Minister Yasmina Baddou on October 27th.

To aid in this effort, a monitoring body was created to co-ordinate between regional and national institutions and to assess the spread of the disease.

The national education ministry is also reassuring parents not to be concerned.

Mohammed Ouled Dadda, director of the Fes education authority, said that everything had been put in place in schools to most effectively prevent the spread the disease. Students have been provided with leaflets and sessions on preventing illness, while teachers have been trained to identify possible cases and alert officials.

The education ministry also plans to retrain students in afflicted areas on how to best prevent the flu and recognise its symptoms.

For students who miss classes due to illness, the ministry will also be launching educational media broadcasts to help them prepare for official examinations.

Despite these precautions, some parents are still worried. "No one is safe. I'm afraid for my children who study in private school," said Slimane Kabbali, a mother of three. "To be fair, the school management has put preventative measures in place. But there is still a risk. They need to vaccinate both pupils and teachers."

By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat

Morocco declares third swine flu case

Morocco announced its third case of A-H1N1 swine flu when a 7-year-old Moroccan girl was diagnosed with the virus The girl had arrived from Montreal to Casablanca's Mohammed V International Airport on board of flight AT 207 on Friday and showed no swine flu symptoms.

After catching a flu and fever, the girl was admitted to a hospital where she tested A-H1N1 positive. The two remaining swine flu cases in Morocco both originated from passengers arriving from Canada. Both an 18-year-old woman and a 29 year-old-man held the virus as they arrived on Wednesday from Montreal to Casablanca.

Morocco has acted in response to the virus pandemic by installing thermal scanners in the country's airports and by strengthening the surveillance of passengers coming from destinations where the virus is widely spread. Swine flu has killed about 140 people since it was first detected in April.

According to Reuters, "Morocco has stocks of Tamiflu for 1 million people. Morocco hopes to negotiate price reductions on further supplies, enough for 15-20 percent of the 34 million population."

Huda Zene for Morocco Newsline