Dr. Tayeb Hamdi, a physician and researcher in health policy and systems, examines the question of which time standard a country should adopt. He argues that the decision should be based not only on its impact on public health but also on other factors, including economic, commercial, social, energy-related, and security considerations. According to Dr. Hamdi, the final choice depends on how much weight each of these factors is given. Based on well-established scientific findings, briefly summarized at the end of this article, Morocco has four main options when it comes to timekeeping from a public health perspective: keeping either permanent winter or summer time year-round; switching between the two twice a year at intervals of 5 to 7 months (winter/spring); or shifting time twice annually with a short 6-week interval to accommodate Ramadan. A fifth scenario—changing the clock four times a year (for winter, spring, and Ramadan)—is virtually unthinkable. Other Arab and Muslim countries do not alter their clocks for the holy month, either maintaining their legal time or deeming such changes unnecessary. If we were to rank these scenarios in terms of health and alignment with human physiology, the most favorable option would be adopting permanent winter time, with no seasonal changes. The second-best choice would be permanent summer time. While this would avoid disruptions from biannual changes, it would still pose challenges, such as difficulty resetting the biological clock, loss of sleep, early wake-ups in winter, and late bedtimes in summer. The third option would involve switching between winter and summer time twice a year, spaced over 5 to 7 months. This approach would combine the downsides of summer time with the added strain of time changes, which can take days—or even weeks—for some people to adapt to. The least healthy option would be permanent summer time combined with a second time change just six weeks later for Ramadan. This allows no time for the body to fully adjust, compounding the effects of both summer time and frequent shifts. This final scenario is, in fact, the one currently in place in Morocco. Does it truly serve the best interests of public health? Or are other considerations outweighing it? Experts in various fields should help bring clarity to this question. Key Scientific Insights: 1- The body's internal clock is regulated by exposure to bright morning light. 2- Any change in time disrupts health, with the switch to summer time having the most adverse effects. Winter time aligns best with human biology. 3- Adjusting to a new time schedule can take several days—or even weeks—for some. 4- Vulnerable populations include children, the elderly, teenagers, night-shift workers, and those with sleep disorders.
