Latest news with #MandatoryHealthInsurance
Morocco World
27-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Akhannouch: Morocco Ranks 2nd in Africa with 2% of GDP on Social Aid
Doha – Morocco has allocated MAD 26.5 billion ($2.65 billion) for the Direct Social Aid program in 2025. The government aims to increase this budget to MAD 29 billion ($2.9 billion) by 2026. Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch announced these figures Tuesday at the Chamber of Counselors. Morocco now ranks second in Africa for social spending, dedicating about 2% of its GDP to finance this program. The initiative targets 4 million families, representing approximately 60% of households not covered by family allowance schemes. The program provides monthly aid ranging from MAD 500 ($50) to MAD 1,200 ($120) based on family composition and circumstances. Since launching the digital platform ' in December 2023, around 4 million households have benefited from the program. These 4 million households represent nearly 12 million beneficiaries. Of these families, 3.2 million also receive Mandatory Health Insurance (AMO) services. More than 2.4 million households include children, while about 1.5 million have no children. Social transformation takes major leap Over 5.5 million children now receive direct aid through the program. Additionally, more than one million people aged over 60 receive monthly social assistance in the form of lump-sum subsidies. These subsidies aim to preserve the dignity of the elderly, strengthen their purchasing power, and reduce risks associated with aging. The prime minister noted that the government allocated MAD 25 billion ($2.5 billion) to the program for 2024. The government has also strengthened efforts against school dropout rates. About 1.8 million families with 3.1 million students receive exceptional aid. This support amounts to MAD 200 ($20) for primary and middle school, and MAD 300 ($30) for high school, limited to six children per family. Akhannouch revealed that 61% of beneficiaries come from rural areas. This approach aligns with the government's commitment to promoting equal opportunities, especially for rural girls. Currently, 75% of children aged 6 to 20 are covered by school aid. The government has also implemented a birth premium program. Families receive MAD 2,000 ($200) for the first child and MAD 1,000 ($100) for the second. A crucial extension of social coverage By the end of January, 42,800 families had benefited from this initiative. The program aims to improve maternal and child health, strengthen vaccination, and support healthy childhood. Support for widows has seen unprecedented progress. More than 420,000 widows currently benefit from aid, compared to only 75,000 at the end of 2021. Among them, 330,000 have no children, marking a major extension of social coverage. Nearly 87,000 widows care for 97,000 orphaned children, with support expected to reach MAD 400 ($40) per schooled child by 2026. The Mandatory Health Insurance now covers all Moroccan families. The government has integrated more than 4 million vulnerable households into a non-contributory system. These families receive free healthcare and hospitalization in public health facilities. The state ensures the sustainability of this system by covering these families' contributions, amounting to about MAD 9.5 billion ($950 million) annually. Since the launch of this system until March, more than 14 million medical files have been registered with the CNSS agency. These include over 300,000 related to chronic or costly diseases. Nearly 12 million cases have been processed, with a total amount exceeding MAD 17 billion ($1.7 billion). Health insurance in Morocco has made decisive progress with the massive integration of non-salaried and independent workers. Through the adoption of 28 implementing decrees, nearly 3.5 million people now benefit from medical coverage adapted to their income. By April, more than 400 million cases had been filed, with an average of 2,255 per day. Some 360,000 cases have already been processed, for an amount of nearly MAD 1 billion ($100 million). Read also: Education Reform: Akhannouch Reviews Achievements, Charts Path Forward
Morocco World
07-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco to Implement New Retirement Pension System Starting May 1
Rabat — The National Social Security Fund (CNSS) announced that May 1 is the starting date on which they will implement old-age pensions, with retroactive payments dating back to each individual's retirement date. According to the CNSS announcement, starting May 1 and under Decree 2.25.265, people who retired between January 1, 2023, and the effective date of Law No. 02.24 will qualify for old-age pensions if they have between 1,320 and 3,240 days of insurance coverage. Benefits will be paid retroactively from their retirement date. The minimum pension amount will vary between MAD 600 and 1,000 ($60-$100) , depending on the number of insurance days accumulated by each beneficiary. These pensions will also include Mandatory Health Insurance (AMO) coverage. In cases where an insured person with at least 1,320 insurance days has died, their eligible dependents can apply for survivor benefits, the CNSS stated. Under current legal provisions, for retirees who don't meet the minimum requirement of 1,320 contribution days to qualify for an old-age pension, they or their eligible dependents (in case of death) can request a refund of both their contributions and those of their employer. Eligible individuals can submit applications through the 'TAAWYDATI' (my compensations) portal or at their nearest CNSS agency starting May 1. Read also: Morocco Lowers Pension Eligibility to 1,320 Workdays Under New Social Security Law Meanwhile, under Decree 2.25.266, new measures aim to provide year-round social and medical coverage for share-based fishermen and their dependents. The criteria and methods for calculating their social security contribution days, along with the distribution procedures for overall revenue from share-based fishing vessels, will be defined by a decision from the Minister of Economy and Finance, according to the CNSS. Both decrees — 2.25.265 concerning old-age pensions and contribution refunds, and 2.25.266 addressing income smoothing for share-based fishermen — were approved last Thursday by the government council. This new pension system is part of Morocco's larger efforts to digitize its bureacratic systems. Tags: MoroccoPension reformRetirement reform
Ya Biladi
07-04-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Morocco's social security fund announces implementation of old-age pension starting May
Morocco's National Social Security Fund (CNSS) announced on Monday that, starting May 1, 2025, old-age pensions will be implemented for individuals who retired between January 1, 2023, and the effective date of Law 02.24. This measure is part of Decree 2.25.265, which was recently adopted. To qualify, beneficiaries must have between 1,320 and fewer than 3,240 days of insurance. The pension will be retroactively applied from the retirement date. The monthly amount will range from 600 to 1,000 dirhams, depending on the number of contribution days, and will include coverage under the Mandatory Health Insurance (AMO). In the event of the death of an insured person who met the 1,320-day requirement, their beneficiaries will be eligible to apply for a survivor's pension. If the insured person did not meet the minimum required days, they or their beneficiaries may request a reimbursement of contributions—both theirs and the employer's—in accordance with current legislation. Applications can be submitted starting May 1 via the «TAAWYDATI» portal or at CNSS agencies. Additionally, under Decree 2.25.266, the method for calculating contribution days for share fishermen, along with the redistribution of their vessels' income, will be determined by a decision of the Minister of Economy and Finance. This aims to ensure continuous social and medical coverage for this category of workers. Both decrees were adopted during the government council held last Thursday.
Russia Today
11-02-2025
- Health
- Russia Today
Abortion rate in Russia falls by 350% in a decade
The number of abortions in Russia has decreased by more than 3.5 times over the past decade, according to data released by the Health Ministry on Tuesday. Officials have linked the trend to policy measures, including financial incentives for families, restrictions on abortion, and support for larger households and regional cooperation aimed at improving birth rates in the country. Elena Sheshko, Director of the Department of Medical Care for Children, Maternity Services, and Public Health at the Health Ministry, stated that 'Over the past ten years, we have seen a more than 3.5-fold reduction in the number of abortions. This is a key factor in supporting birth rates,' she said. Abortions in Russia remain legal and are available on request up to the 12th week of pregnancy, with exceptions for medical and social reasons. However, the government has implemented measures to discourage the procedure, including mandatory waiting periods and counselling. Lawmakers have proposed additional policies, such as requiring private clinics to report abortion statistics and integrating abortion procedures into the Mandatory Health Insurance system to improve oversight. Some politicians have suggested further restrictions, but proposals for an outright ban have not gained significant traction. READ MORE: Nothing is more important than love and children — Putin Russia has introduced financial support programs for families, including lump-sum payments for childbirth and expanded maternity benefits while the government has also revived the Soviet-era 'Mother Heroine' award, which provides financial incentives for women who have given birth or raised ten or more children. Additionally, officials have discussed policies such as restricting the promotion of so-called 'child-free' lifestyles and potential tax incentives for families with multiple children. Late last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin also emphasized the importance of increasing birth rates, stating that it is 'an extremely important matter' and one of the 'key issues for Russia.' In order to reach the replacement fertility rate, 'we need 2.1 children per woman, and at least 2.3 for our population to grow.' Currently, Russia's fertility rate stands at 1.41 children per woman. 'We are developing a system that encompasses healthcare, childhood, and maternity, and we will continue to do everything to improve these programs,' Putin said, outlining the measures taken by the Russian government to reverse the trend.
