Football doesn’t heal patients… We want healthcare"
Between Football and Basic Services: Comparing Morocco, Portugal, and Spain in Education, Health, and Economy
Introduction
As Morocco prepares to host the World Cup, massive investments in sports infrastructure are drawing global attention. However, these investments contrast sharply with the significant challenges in essential sectors like health and education. Despite these efforts, Moroccan citizens still face weak basic services, especially in remote and disaster-affected areas, such as Al Haouz, which suffered from an earthquake more than two years ago without adequate support.
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1. Health: Morocco’s Challenges vs. Portugal and Spain’s Strategies
Morocco:
The Moroccan healthcare system suffers from outdated facilities and limited medical equipment, especially in rural areas.
About 71% of healthcare facilities are located in rural areas, yet access is difficult due to poor infrastructure and a shortage of specialized doctors (moroccoworldnews.com).
Reports indicate that 24% of the population struggles to access primary healthcare due to distance and high costs (brieflands.com).
Portugal:
Portugal has a comprehensive healthcare system covering all citizens, with special focus on rural areas (improvingphc.org).
Continuous efforts are made to provide primary care and improve access in remote regions.
Spain:
Spain is among the leading countries in healthcare, offering high-quality services to all citizens (eurohealthobservatory.who.int).
Despite challenges like doctor shortages in some rural areas, the government actively works to ensure accessibility.
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2. Education: A Wide Gap Between Morocco and European Counterparts
Morocco:
Studies show that 64% of 4th-grade students do not meet minimum reading standards, reflecting the poor quality of education (wenr.wes.org).
Schools in rural areas lack proper facilities and teachers, negatively impacting academic achievement.
Portugal:
Portugal achieves excellent educational outcomes, with low dropout rates and a high proportion of students reaching advanced levels in reading and math (expatica.com).
Spain:
Spain provides a high-quality education system, emphasizing the development of diverse skills among students (expatica.com).
Despite some regional differences, the Spanish education system is considered one of the best in Europe.
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3. Economy: Massive Sports Investment vs. Weak Basic Services
Morocco:
Morocco invests heavily in World Cup projects, including stadiums, roads, and urban infrastructure.
However, many rural areas still suffer from poor infrastructure and lack of basic services.
Reports indicate that a significant portion of the national GDP is allocated to sports, while health and education sectors remain underfunded.
Portugal and Spain:
Both countries maintain a more balanced investment approach between sports and essential services, improving citizens’ quality of life.
They serve as models for achieving sustainable development while addressing social needs.
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4. Disaster Response: Morocco’s Struggles in Crisis Management
Morocco:
The Al Haouz region was hit by a devastating earthquake in September 2023, killing nearly 3,000 people and destroying many homes and infrastructure.
Despite the government pledging over $11.5 billion for reconstruction, many victims still live in tents and face difficulties resuming normal life (lemonde.fr).
Portugal and Spain:
Both countries have effective disaster response systems, including well-planned emergency protocols and coordination between relevant authorities.
They demonstrate strong capacity to manage crises, minimizing damage and ensuring quick recovery.
: Love for Football Has Limits
Everyone loves football, but every passion has its limits, and priorities should come first. The country has a young population that needs jobs to prevent illegal migration. Patients with cancer need doctors and hospitals. Without good education and a strong economy, none of this is possible.
This article aims to reach as many people as possible to reveal the darker side of Morocco. However, as citizens of this country, we know that the “bright side” is nearly invisible—life here is largely about struggle. Our problem is not a lack of money but an ignorant government and an uninformed population. The love for football cannot replace the urgent need for healthcare, education, and economic opportunity.