Latest news with #NationalObservatoryforChildren'sRights
Morocco World
25-05-2025
- Health
- Morocco World
Morocco Celebrates 30 Years of Protecting Children's Rights
Rabat — Princess Lalla Meryem led celebrations in Rabat on Sunday to mark the 30th anniversary of Morocco's National Observatory for Children's Rights (ONDE). The ceremony recalled King Mohammed VI's ongoing commitment to protecting children and improving their welfare across the country. New digital health initiative launched The observatory also announced the launch of a groundbreaking child health app during the celebration. The 'Child Health Record' application gives parents access to essential information about nutrition, development, and preventive care for their children. Princess Lalla Meryem announced this digital health record project in February of 2025. A second version will soon follow in partnership with the Ministry of Health, featuring vaccination history, automatic reminders, and child development tracking tools. Strategic partnerships signed The princess additionally oversaw the signing of three major agreements to strengthen child protection efforts. The first agreement with the Ministry of Solidarity focuses on training field workers and encouraging children's participation in decision-making processes. This partnership was signed by Minister Naima Ben Yahia and ONDE Vice-President Ghizlane Benjelloun. A second agreement with the Interior Ministry aims to expand mental health programs for children in rural areas, particularly targeting the critical first 1,000 days of life. This partnership will integrate mental health support into national development initiatives. The third agreement with the Higher Institute of Magistracy will train judges on child mental health issues and support joint research on children's rights. Recognition for child advocates Princess Lalla Meryem presented honorary awards to three individuals who have championed children's causes. Finance Minister Nadia Fettah received recognition for her consistent support of the observatory. Former Education Minister Moulay Ismail Alaoui was honored for his service to children, though he could not attend due to health reasons. Amina Ouarid received recognition for 35 years of dedication to child welfare. Celebrating three decades of progress The celebration featured a contemporary dance performance called 'ONDE's Fight for Children's Rights,' performed by young artists who expressed the story of child protection in Morocco in a unique form. Video presentations reflected King Mohammed VI's dedication to child welfare since he took the throne, featuring the observatory's work in protecting children's rights and mental health. The ceremony took place during the 17th National Congress on Children's Rights. Government officials, child parliamentarians from across Morocco, former child parliament members, and institutional partners attended the event. Princess Lalla Meryem concluded the celebration by taking photos with the children present at the ceremony. Tags: childrenChildren's rightsChildren's Rights in MoroccoMoroccorights
Morocco World
25-02-2025
- Health
- Morocco World
Morocco to Digitize Children's Health Records
Doha – The National Observatory for Children's Rights (ONDE) has announced the launch of a digital child health record project. The announcement came during Monday's celebration of the Maghreb Days for School and University Health under the theme 'Importance of School Vaccination.' Directed by ONDE President Princess Lalla Meryem, the initiative is being implemented in collaboration with multiple partners, including the Population Department of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, and various pediatric scientific societies. According to the announcement, the digitalization project aims to provide an integrated digital platform that will give families and healthcare professionals immediate access to children's essential medical information, including complete vaccination records and medical consultations. The initiative will enhance preventive healthcare by sending automatic reminders for vaccine appointments and medical examinations, ensuring accurate and sustainable monitoring of children's health. In addition to basic health monitoring, the project will establish a digital channel for distributing health guidelines and providing specialized consultations, particularly in mental health. This effort specifically targets the prevention of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, learning disabilities, and hyperactivity. The project represents a qualitative shift in preventive healthcare management for children, improving the efficiency of medical interventions and contributing to faster, more effective health services in line with digital transformations occurring in the health sector both nationally and internationally. Meanwhile, the situation in Morocco regarding measles outbreaks remains concerning, especially among children. The country recorded 3,355 new cases between February 10-16, along with six deaths during the same period. Despite a slight decrease of 3.4% compared to the previous two weeks, the numbers reflect the continued spread of the virus in several regions. Authorities are currently accelerating the pace of a catch-up vaccination campaign in collaboration with the Ministries of Health and Social Protection, National Education, and Interior. The campaign includes reviewing more than 9 million health records to ensure children under 18 years old have received the recommended doses, as measles vaccine requires two doses for full effectiveness. The digital health record initiative aligns with Morocco's broader 'Digital Morocco 2030' national strategy, which places digital technology at the heart of national priorities. The strategy aims to transform Morocco into a digital hub to accelerate the country's social and economic development by focusing on two strategic axes: digitalizing public services and stimulating the digital economy. The plan includes three main accelerators: developing digital talents, expanding cloud services, and improving connectivity, with artificial intelligence and inclusive digital use as transversal levers for success. Read also: Report: Social Media Poses Risks for Children's Mental, Physical Health in Morocco Tags: Child healthcareHealth digitalizationONDE
