In a statement from the Ministry of Health, Ait Taleb stressed that the decision to suspend annual vacation for health professionals results from the "worrying" epidemiological situation of the Kingdom.

Regarding the payment of an exceptional allowance to health professionals, for their commitment and dedication to the health security of citizens, Ait Taleb explained that, during the meetings between the ministry and the most representative unions in the sector, it was agreed to pay these allowances after having set the amounts and the eligibility criteria with complete objectivity and transparency, according to the responsibilities granted and tasks performed by each of the health professionals in their fight against Covid-19 at local, regional and central levels.

In addition, the government official informed union representatives of the positive interaction with this issue by the Head of Government and the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Administration Reform, confirming that the calculation method adopted will be presented to the unions, which will have 72 hours to study the presented proposals.

Regarding the suspension of annual vacation for employees of administrations and establishments in the health sector on the basis of circular n° 62 of 3 August 2020, addressed to medical establishments placed under the supervision of the Ministry of Health, Ait Taleb underlined that the exceptional and alarming epidemiological situation of the Kingdom imposed an equally exceptional decision.

The aforementioned meetings, which have already been scheduled and postponed more than once, given the exceptional circumstances marked by the state of health emergency imposed since March and the instability of the epidemiological situation after the lifting of the lockdown and relaxation of the measures taken in certain regions of the Kingdom, were an opportunity for the Minister of Health to highlight the great efforts made by the medical, nursing, technical and administrative staff.

He also praised the dedication of the medical staff which was on the front line in the fight against Covid-19, underlining the thanks of HM King Mohammed VI to all the nursing staff on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of the Throne Day.

This royal tribute encourages professionals to make more efforts to maintain the confidence that the Sovereign has placed in them, said Ait Taleb, noting the need to promote and enhance their achievements today.

He called on the ministry and its social partners, as well as all stakeholders to work together, by adopting all possible participatory mechanisms, in order to carry out the comprehensive reform of the health system and improve the financial and moral situation of all health professionals.

In an exceptional and worrying epidemiological context, the minister sent an urgent invitation to the secretaries general of the national health federations, under the most representative trade unions, to organize dialogue sessions at the beginning of the week, the statement said, noting that these meetings began last Tuesday and continued throughout the week in a positive atmosphere and in respect of all preventive and proactive measures decreed by the public authorities.