Territorial Health Groups as a Structuring Lever of the Moroccan National Health System to Reduce Inequalities in Access to Healthcare

The Moroccan health sector continues to face significant inequalities in access to healthcare, despite sustained national efforts since independence to improve the population's health. These efforts have recently resulted in a major structural reform of the national health system with the promulgation of Framework Law No. 06-22 and Law No. 08-22. These legislative texts establish Territorial Health Groups (GST) as autonomous public institutions primarily responsible for strengthening governance and management of the health system at the regional level.
This paper aims to identify the mechanisms through which Territorial Health Groups can reduce inequalities in access to healthcare. The central research question is formulated as follows: How do Territorial Health Groups contribute to reducing inequalities in access to healthcare for all Moroccan citizens?
A qualitative approach based on a comprehensive literature review was adopted. Documents were selected and analyzed according to their relevance to the key concepts of the study: decentralization, public governance, integration of care, and health equity.
The results highlight four main mechanisms by which the GST can act: Strengthening territorial governance, Integration and coordination of patient care pathways, equitable territorial planning, improvement of operational efficiency and service quality.
In conclusion, the Territorial Health Groups represent a promising and innovative lever for advancing toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Morocco. Their successful implementation will determine the health system's ability to guarantee equitable, high-quality, and financially accessible healthcare for the entire Moroccan population, regardless of geographic location or socio-economic status.

National health system, Territorial Health Groups (GST), Inequalities in access to healthcare, Territorial governance, Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

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