Moroccan nursing union criticizes SAMU project selection process

The regional council of the Independent Union of Nurses and Health Technicians in Casablanca-Settat, Morocco, has strongly criticized the method used to select nurses and health technicians for the regional SAMU project. Omar El Amri, head of the regional council and regional secretary of the union in Berrechid province, stated that the selection process lacked a participatory approach, clear criteria, and transparency. He argued that the concerned professionals were not involved or consulted, nor was their consent obtained.

El Amri urged responsible authorities to initiate serious dialogue to rectify these "imbalances" in the interest of public good and to improve healthcare service quality. He asserted that the current approach violates principles of good governance and responsible human resource management. The union believes that any genuine reform of the health system must be founded on dialogue, transparency, and respect for professionals' rights.

The regional office of the union issued a statement expressing concern that the unilateral selection, without considering the professional, social, and family circumstances of the staff, and without open voluntary applications or objective criteria, infringes upon the rights of health workers. They view this as indicative of improvisation and arbitrary administrative decisions, potentially serving narrow personal agendas.

The union also condemned the disregard for social partners and the absence of official communication in crisis management, deeming it a "flagrant violation" of the participatory principle in decisions affecting nursing and health technician cadres. They questioned how motivation, appreciation, and psychological and professional stability could be ensured for human resources within territorial health groups under such conditions. The union fears this could exacerbate the severe shortage of staff in regional health institutions, particularly in emergency departments and vital services, negatively impacting service quality and increasing professional pressure on existing staff.

They stressed that the success of the regional SAMU project depends not on top-down decisions or improvisational measures, but on respecting the dignity of nurses and health technicians, involving them in decisions affecting their careers, and ensuring adequate staffing without weakening original health institutions. The union demanded that any assignment within the project be governed by a clear legal framework specifying selection conditions, duties, rights, and obligations, ensuring voluntary participation and equal opportunities. They also called for fair financial compensation for additional burdens, proposing a special allowance for emergency health programs.