As the world marks World Tuberculosis Day on March 24, the Moroccan Network for the Defense of the Right to Health and the Right to Life has raised concerns over Morocco's worsening tuberculosis crisis. The country faces rising cases of drug-resistant tuberculosis amid medication shortages and ineffective diagnostic and treatment strategies. Morocco records approximately 37,000 tuberculosis cases annually, with around 4,000 deaths each year. The prevalence remains high at 87,000 cases per 100,000 people. One of the biggest challenges is the growing rate of drug-resistant tuberculosis, driven by medication shortages and limited access to rapid diagnostic tests. Despite the Ministry of Health's efforts to expand preventive treatment, the national tuberculosis control strategy struggles with major obstacles, particularly in rural areas. Limited healthcare access, a shortage of specialized medical staff, and an increasing number of undetected cases further complicate the situation. The Moroccan Network links the spread of tuberculosis to social and economic factors, including poverty, malnutrition, poor housing, and high rates of smoking and substance abuse. It urges the Ministry of Health and Social Protection to take immediate action by ensuring a steady supply of medications, increasing funding for tuberculosis control programs, improving early diagnosis, and expanding free treatment nationwide. The organization also calls for stronger awareness campaigns to promote early detection.
