Structure of the Healthcare

Western Sahara is located in the North Western part of Africa, along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.

Western Sahara is a non-self-governing territory, which has been occupied by both Morocco and Mauritania. Following Mauritania’s withdrawal, Morocco now maintains authority of over 70% of the land. Morocco has a military presence in the territory, and has a system in place system to incentivize its citizens with pay raises, food subsidies, and bonuses to motivate them to settle in the area. All these efforts have been directed to integrate Western Sahara into the Kingdom of Morocco. However, the conflict and debate between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Polisario Front over who governs the Western Sahara remains.

Due to the conflict in the area, the Sahrawi people, who are native to the territory, have been forced to flee to neighboring communities, which included refugee camps in Algeria. The Polisario Front (National Sahrawi Liberation Movement) and Morocco have  continued to be at odds, as the former supports independence from the latter.

Despite strong efforts for peacekeeping by the United Nations (UN), much of the population has been forced to seek shelter in the Algerian Desert, commonly referred to as the Devil’s Garden, which has made it difficult for the population to build an efficient healthcare system.

Financing Healthcare

The health system in Western Sahara is overseen and regulated by the state, which prepares the service portfolio, allocates the budget, and sets priorities to be executed. The health structure is made up of four Central Agencies (Health Care, Prevention, Medicines and Equipment, and Veterinary), a General Secretariat coordinating logistics, the Cooperation Department, and the National Hospital Management (including all services of medical and surgical specialties).

Healthcare in this region is not financed by people’s own income, as the region has no tax system in place. Therefore, there is total reliance on international aid for refugees to have access to universal, fair, and free healthcare.

Investment Opportunities

• Medical Care Facilities

• Health Insurance

• Pharmaceuticals & Medical Supplies

• Mental Health Facilities

Challenges

• Despite efforts to ensure health coverage is attained equitably, resources are limited, and health services often do not reach the population in a timely manner.

• There are limited numbers of general practitioners and specialists, as most of the population relies on nurses.     

• Western Saharan professionals who are foreign trained often do not return to refugee camps, but instead migrate to countries in Europe.     

• There are delays in attending to emergency cases, especially during late hours, as most health centers and hospitals are closed in the evening and night.

• There is difficulty in scheduling medical care, as the medical facilities are dependent on international aid.

• There is no specialized healthcare available in the area; therefore, complicated cases require patients to travel to neighboring countries to receive healthcare.

Solutions

• Negotiations for peace talks in the region could be mediated by the African Union.

• International Organizations, including the UN entities, should direct more funds towards financing healthcare facilities, equipment, personnel, and services in the Territory and refugee camps.