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Global Health Econ Sustain HCWs and violence in emergency services

education, and safe health-care service. Moreover, social through social media or television the advancements
media has played a pivotal role in raising this awareness by made by other nations in terms of infrastructure, hospitals,
disseminating videos, pictures, and reports about hospitals schools, and gross national income can evoke a sense of
in developed countries, juxtaposed with those in Morocco, frustration and resentment toward their own government.
on platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube. Moroccans wonder why their country, endowed with
This widespread exposure enables millions of users to abundant natural resources such as phosphates, two seas
observe global health-care disparities in real time. As a teeming with fishes, minerals, thriving agriculture, and a
result, nothing remains hidden; individuals now possess the bustling tourism industry, fails to provide similar benefits
means to capture and share live footage of the challenging to its citizens. This sentiment was even echoed by the King
conditions in hospitals, igniting feelings of indignation of Morocco in one of his speeches (Mohammed VI, 2014),
and prompting aggression toward HCWs. The most recent highlighting the pervasive nature of this question with no
case of violence against an HCW in Morocco occurred in clear answer.
Dakhla city, located in the south of the country, where a This sense of hopelessness and disillusionment within
nurse was filmed being assaulted by a patient’s companion the Moroccan populace breeds indignation and frustration
as she lay on the ground, screaming for help. toward all facets of the state, including hospitals and their
4.3. The inability of the health system to keep pace staff. Instances of causing disturbances by breaking doors
with public awareness or chairs in hospitals are viewed as a form of indirect
retaliation against the government. This helps to elucidate
The rapid advancements in science and technology have the origin of violence directed toward HCWs.
fostered aspirations for a better and more convenient
life, especially in the medical field, where multiple and One of the myriad catalysts for violence, stemming from
sophisticated inventions have led to quicker and more deficiencies in the health system, occurs when patients
efficient surgeries, often using new techniques such as arrive for consultations only to find crowds gathered
laser. However, upon visiting hospitals to avail themselves outside the doctor’s door, awaiting their turn. Upon finally
of these advancements, citizens often encounter gaining access, some doctors conduct examinations from
malfunctioning laboratory or X-ray devices. Consequently, their armchairs, merely questioning the patient about
they are compelled to seek radiological and biological their symptoms and prescribing medications without
analyses in the private sector, which proves prohibitively any physical examination – a practice known as “near/far
expensive. examining” (based on direct witness accounts). Therefore,
frustrated companions, faced with the deteriorating
This frustration and discontentment often manifest as condition of their loved ones, lengthy waiting times, and
anger and verbal aggression toward HCWs (Perron et al., perceived neglect by doctors prescribing costly treatments,
2015). This underscores the failure of the Moroccan health are driven to lash out against HCWs. This serves as
ministry to keep pace with citizen’s evolving awareness by a manifestation of their discontent with life in their
not reforming the health system or investing adequately in homeland and their yearning for a better future.
the health sector. This lack of investment is evident in the
scarcity of laboratory devices and ultrasound machines. 4.5. Violence and criminal law
Moreover, the government’s failure to adequately The Moroccan law stipulates penalties of imprisonment
remunerate HCWs incentivizes the acceptance of bribes ranging from 1 month to 1 year and fines from 250 to
from patients or engaging in blackmail. 5000 MDHs (Moroccan dirham) for individuals who
We believe that the government’s policy toward social humiliate judges, clerks, chiefs, or public officials during
sectors, notably health care, must be overhauled. This can or by virtue of their duties. This encompasses actions such
only be achieved by allocating a larger budget, ideally up to as verbal abuse, threats, or any form of communication
12%, as opposed to the current 6.53% (Ministry of Health/ aimed at undermining their honor, emotional well-
Morocco, Health in Numbers, 2021). being, or the respect due to their authority, as outlined in
Article 263 of the Moroccan Criminal Law (MCL, 1962).
4.4. The persisting comparison with the developed Recently, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection
countries issued Ministerial Circular No. 5085 on October 26, 2021,
In every corner of the world, there exists a desire for one’s urging all relevant authorities to promptly initiate judicial
country to excel. This positive sense of competition often proceedings whenever an HCW is subjected to aggression
leads individuals to compare their nation with neighboring while carrying out their duties. This initiative aligns with
countries, and Moroccans are no exception. Observing Article 19 of the Moroccan Public Function Law, which

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2024) 5 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.2015