Introduction
Childhood cancer is a painful yet unavoidable reality in the global health landscape. Each year, approximately 400,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer, nearly 48,000 of whom are in Africa. In Morocco, pediatric oncology has become a national priority, integrated into the National Cancer Prevention and Control Plan 2021-2030. Despite notable progress, the country faces major challenges related to access to care, regional inequalities, and limited resources.
Overview of Pediatric Cancer Care in Morocco
Pediatric oncology in Morocco has gradually developed since the 1990s, with the establishment of specialized units in major university hospitals. Today, care is structured around three main pillars:
Hospital Diagnosis and Treatment
Provided in the university hospitals of Rabat, Casablanca, Fès, and Marrakech, with dedicated pediatric oncology units.
Multidisciplinary Care
Combining chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy according to international protocols adapted to local resources.
Psychosocial Support
Delivered by associations and foundations, such as the Lalla Salma Foundation, which play a key role in family support and awareness campaigns.
Morocco has achieved an overall childhood cancer survival rate of approximately 50%, a significant improvement but still below the standards of high-income countries.
Main Challenges
Access and Quality of Care
Specialized infrastructures are concentrated in major cities, limiting access for children in rural areas. Diagnostic delays are common, reducing chances of cure. Availability of anticancer medications can be irregular, complicating treatment continuity.
Social and Regional Inequalities
Disadvantaged families face financial challenges in covering indirect costs (transportation, accommodation, food). Disparities between urban and rural areas create unequal access to specialized care. Girls, in some social contexts, may receive less medical attention, exacerbating gender inequalities.
Human and Material Resources
The number of pediatric oncologists remains limited, leading to heavy workloads. Radiotherapy and medical imaging equipment are insufficient for the growing demand. Psychological and educational support for hospitalized children is still underdeveloped.
Ongoing Reforms and Initiatives
Morocco has implemented several reforms to improve pediatric cancer care. National Cancer Prevention and Control Plan 2021-2030: Includes a specific axis dedicated to childhood cancers, aiming to reduce mortality and improve survival. Strengthening hospital infrastructure: Modernizing pediatric oncology units and creating new services in regional areas. Training healthcare professionals: Establishing specialization programs in pediatric oncology and adapted nursing care. Partnerships with NGOs and foundations: Organizations like the Lalla Salma Foundation fund research projects, equipment, and awareness campaigns. Gradual digital integration: Developing national registries to track cases and harmonize therapeutic protocols.
Perspectives and Opportunities
The future of pediatric oncology in Morocco depends on the ability to: improve early diagnosis (through enhanced training for general practitioners and awareness campaigns for families), expand access to care (by creating regional units to reduce travel and costs for families, (mobilize more financial resources: To ensure medication availability and modernize equipment), strengthen psychosocial and educational support (by integrating school and recreational programs in hospital services to preserve children’s quality of life), leverage digital health and telemedicine (to facilitate patient follow-up, reduce geographic inequalities, and improve coordination among medical teams), and promote clinical research (to adapt therapeutic protocols to local specificities and improve survival rates).
Conclusion
Pediatric oncology in Morocco is at a decisive turning point. Progress in survival rates and the structuring of services reflects strong national commitment. However, challenges related to inequalities, limited resources, and late diagnosis must be addressed decisively. Ongoing reforms, combined with community and technological engagement, can transform childhood cancer care into a true lever for social justice and health development. With an inclusive and strategic approach, Morocco can hope to offer every child with cancer not only a chance of cure but also a dignified quality of life and a promising future.
