Moroccan authorities investigate clinics for refusing critically ill infant

Moroccan health authorities are intensifying their investigation into two private clinics in the city of Larache that allegedly refused to admit a critically ill infant. A central inspection committee from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection has completed its review and submitted a report, with expectations of severe penalties for the clinics.

The incident involved a 14-month-old baby suffering from a high fever and near-unconsciousness. The infant's family, visiting Larache from Rabat, rushed the child to two different private clinics. However, both facilities reportedly turned them away, citing the absence of a pediatrician.

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In the beginning, I went to a first clinic then a second, where I was told that the on-call doctor could not examine a young child in the absence of a pediatrician.

Sources indicate that one clinic was initially close to avoiding repercussions until further investigation revealed that the family had spent about thirty seconds inside the facility, which was deemed sufficient time to receive a refusal. The second clinic provided the same reason for not admitting the child.

Minister of Health and Social Protection, Aminate Thahraoui, is reportedly closely monitoring the investigation. The ministry aims to send a strong message to private clinics that deny essential emergency services to patients. Following the refusal by the private clinics, the family successfully took the child to the public Lalla Meryem Hospital, where medical professionals provided prompt and professional care, helping the child overcome the health crisis. The child's mother has filed a complaint with the Ministry of Health and the General Secretariat of the Government regarding the refusal of emergency medical assistance.

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I explained to them that the pediatrician following my son's case was in phone contact with me; he even expressed his readiness to communicate directly with the on-call doctor to explain the medical situation and provide the necessary guidance, especially since it was an emergency case requiring immediate intervention; however, this request was met with refusal, and they refrained from providing any medical care to my son.