Media blames health ministry’s bureaucracy for delaying access to Moroccan-made ventilators

As Moroccan hospitals are flooded by an increasing number of Covid-19 patients requiring intensive care, medics are complaining of a lack of equipment including ventilators and oxygen.

This came as a surprise to Moroccan public opinion who is asking about the fate of the Moroccan-made ventilators that made headlines last April, showcasing Morocco’s industrial capacity and genius.

Le360, a digital news website, published a detailed account accusing the health ministry of bureaucracy, which prevented hospitals from receiving such a vital tool for saving lives during this merciless pandemic.

The Moroccan ventilator project was achieved in a record time by a consortium including aeronautical part suppliers and overseen by senior doctors.

The ventilator manufacturers were responding to an order from the health ministry to supply 400 ventilators.

Yet, when the artificial respiration machines were ready after being approved by a health committee, officials at the health ministry imposed a bureaucratic process by which the aeronautical company SERMP was asked to register first as a medical company in order for its devices to be taken.

As Moroccan intensive care units are submerged with Covid-19 patients, the aeronautical company is still waiting for its registration, deplored le 360.

Time is running out and lives are being lost sapping arduous work done by Moroccan engineers to meet the needs of Moroccan hospitals.