Rabat - Morocco’s Health Minister Houcine El Ouardi allegedly ordered the closure of the socio-medical center Injab in Casablanca.
The goal of the healthcare center, launched by Moroccan gynecologist Zouhair Lahna, was to offer free medical services to refugees and impoverished Moroccans.
After less than two weeks of its opening, the imitative was reportedly faced with a ministerial ban “without prior notice.”
According to Zouhair Lahna in an interview with Huffington Post Maghreb, the Ministry of Health dispatched an inspection committee to the center on Monday "without even informing me."
According to the same source, the minister said, "Neither the Department of Health nor the Council of the Association of Physicians have received any application for the opening of the clinic.“
This is an illegal exercise of the profession, especially since it also encourages unfair competition among doctors and hospitals that pay taxes.”
The minister said that, in principle, he has “nothing against the opening of the center, provided that this is done within the law and in accordance with certain standards, including technical and logistical procedures.”
However, Zouhair Lahna said that "the application for authorization was submitted to the Association of Physicians of Casablanca.”
The doctor added that “he is not required to personally ask the Ministry of Health for an authorization since the center is a private clinic.
“The real reason is that the idea of opening this center, as well as my reputation among Moroccans, disturbs the ministry. If I were an unknown doctor who makes little noise and I settled without permission, he would have allowed that,” the doctor added.
Lahna’s initiative was supported by a group of NGO’s, aiming to offer free preventive and curative care for the sub-Saharan and Syrian refugees who can’t afford to pay for their health care.
Located in the Farah Oulfa Salam neighborhood in Casablanca, the medical center was run by a team led by the gynecologist, in addition to two general practitioners, a midwife, a social worker, and an administrative assistant.
After the center became operational, the doctor posted on his Facebook page some photos and videos of the first patients hosted by the center Injab, with hundreds of comments and posts commending the philanthropic efforts of the doctor.
Dr. Zouhair Lahna, is known for his humanitarian services. In 2014, he had volunteered to help treat the Palestinians who were victims of Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip.
According to figures from the High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Morocco is home to more than 5,000 Syrian refugees, meaning that the center would be of great help to the refugees.
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