"Although all age groups are exposed to the risk of Covid-19 contamination, the elderly are the most at risk, hence the need to raise more awareness on their health needs and to highlight the role of health professionals in the preservation of the health of all citizens, in particular this social segment," he said during the launch of the 6th campaign to raise awareness on the situation of the elderly.

During this meeting, organized on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, celebrated on October 1 of each year, under the slogan "The elderly, a treasure in every home", El Otmani highlighted the importance of promoting a culture of solidarity among the young generations and raising awareness among children and young people about the imperative to commit to the protection of this category and to strengthen its status within the family and society.

He also considered that this awareness-raising campaign, launched this year under the theme "A secure environment for the elderly: our common responsibility", is an opportunity to focus on the realities and prospects of promoting the situation of this category and to underscore the programs and measures undertaken by the Kingdom in this regard.

"Today, we are celebrating this day in a particular context marked by the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) which has caused health, psychological and social repercussions throughout the world, in particular on the elderly", said the head of government.

Morocco, like other countries, is experiencing a rapid and growing demographic transition, given the decline in the proportion of children under 15 and the increase in the number of people aged 60 and over, who represent 11.3% of the entire population, that is about 4 million inhabitants in 2020, he said, noting that 57.5% of people aged 60 and over are affected by chronic diseases, of which 49.3% are women and 65.3% are men.

In the light of these demographic transitions and in order to meet the needs of the elderly,  as well as their expectations and the challenges in this area, Morocco has laid the essential bases to move towards dealing with issues related to this category on the basis of principles of law and not just that of health care, added El Otmani.

He noted that the executive has integrated into its 2016-2021 government program a series of measures relating to the establishment of a national policy dedicated to the elderly and the adoption of a regulatory framework so that the State and civil society can intervene, in order to guarantee their rights and preserve their dignity, in addition to reviving the National Observatory for the Elderly and the creation of a special program for the health of the elderly.

Social protection is a fundamental human right which every citizen should have, especially those living in difficult circumstances, so as to preserve their dignity and maintain social cohesion, he stressed.