530 newly qualified specialists to join Morocco’s public hospitals in August

Around 530 newly qualified specialist doctors will be deployed across Morocco’s regions from August onward, immediately after receiving their diplomas, as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare services in public hospitals, Minister of Health and Social Protection Amine Tahraoui announced on Monday in Rabat.

Responding to a question in the House of Representatives on the Territorial Health Groups (GST), Tahraoui said the «unprecedented» measure would put an end to delays that sometimes stretched to two years between graduation and assignment, allowing healthcare facilities to benefit from new specialists more quickly and effectively.

The minister also highlighted broader reforms to the training and management of specialist doctors, notably through a decree governing students in medical, pharmacy and dental schools. The reform extends contractual obligations with the state to all newly enrolled specialist trainees, a move aimed at strengthening healthcare professionals’ commitment to the public health system.

Under the new framework, all newly qualified specialists will be required to complete a period of mandatory service in public healthcare institutions after graduation. The obligation will last four years for the 2026 and 2027 graduating classes and three years from 2028 onward.

Tahraoui said the reform marks a major turning point, ending a situation that had persisted for 33 years. It will ensure that all specialist doctors contribute to public healthcare during a crucial stage of their careers while helping to improve the equitable distribution of medical services nationwide.

The minister added that nearly 2,000 residency positions were opened this year under the new system. These future specialists are expected to join public healthcare institutions from 2030 and become a key pillar of the Territorial Health Groups.

For the first time, the Territorial Health Groups will play a central role in organizing, supervising and assigning medical residents, as well as managing training pathways and internships. According to Tahraoui, this will help align medical training with the specific healthcare needs of each region and with national and regional health planning strategies.