Initiated by the Moroccan Society of Emergency and Disaster Medicine (SMMUC), this annual event coincided with the simultaneous organisation of the tenth Franco-Moroccan Emergency Congress and the fifth Maghreb Emergency Congress. Having brought together all the actors in emergency medicine, including doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers, physiotherapists, firefighters, social workers and administrative staff, this meeting is now an essential appointment for emergency doctors to update their knowledge in terms of managing medico-surgical and trauma emergencies as well as in the field of managing exceptional situations. This major scientific event was officially opened on Friday by the Minister of Health, El Hossein El Ouardi, who highlighted the tireless efforts made by emergency doctors on a daily basis.

“I am proud of Moroccan emergency doctors, their exploits, their involvement, their commitment, their cohesion, their high sense of responsibility and citizenship as well as their dynamism in the various sectors: public, private, military and university,” he said. Additional requests for emergency care in hospitals are increasing by 3% annually with peaks of 7 to 15% during weekends and public holidays. Emergencies therefore remain the showcase of the hospital, while being forced to face major challenges, in particular the imperative to satisfy increasingly growing demands for urgent care and in the absence of sufficient means. In this context, Mr. El Ouardi wanted to give an overview of the strategy and vision of his department regarding the management of this key sector. The ministry has opted for public-private partnership for “bold and transparent management of human resources,” he explained.