A 77-year-old Moroccan man with stage three cancer was denied a scanner at the Hassan II University Hospital in Fez, sparking a controversy that has reached the public prosecutor's office. The patient's family claims that the hospital's head of financial affairs and accounting refused to perform the scan unless a previous debt of 300 dirhams was settled. The family argues that the patient had offered to pay the full 1680 dirhams for the scan.
The incident occurred on May 26, 2026, when the patient arrived for a scheduled scan as part of his cancer treatment. His family claims that the hospital's financial officer insisted on settling the previous debt before performing the scan, despite the patient's offer to pay the full amount for the scan. The family also claims that the patient has a credit balance of 1000 dirhams with the hospital, which was not taken into account.
The patient's family describes his condition as critical, with the scan being urgently needed to assess the progression of the disease and the effectiveness of treatment. They argue that the hospital's refusal to perform the scan was unjustified and put the patient's life at risk. The family also claims that the hospital's financial officer verbally abused the patient's son when he asked about the reason for the denial.
The patient's son filed a complaint with the public prosecutor's office, which has launched an investigation into the incident. The prosecutor's office has charged the hospital's financial officer with withholding assistance from a person in danger. The family's lawyer has also obtained a court document detailing the incident.
The hospital's management has not commented on the incident, but the patient's family has expressed gratitude to the hospital staff for their kindness and professionalism. The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of patients with serious illnesses in Moroccan hospitals and the need for greater accountability and transparency in hospital administration.
The case highlights the challenges faced by patients with limited financial resources in accessing healthcare services in Morocco. The patient's family is seeking an explanation for the hospital's actions and greater accountability from hospital administrators. The incident has sparked a wider debate about the need for healthcare reform and greater investment in hospital infrastructure and staff training.
The public prosecutor's office is expected to continue its investigation into the incident and determine whether any further action is needed. The case has generated significant public interest and concern about the treatment of patients with serious illnesses in Moroccan hospitals.
Key points
- A 77-year-old Moroccan cancer patient was denied a necessary scanner at a university hospital in Fez due to unpaid fees.
- The patient's family claims that the hospital's financial officer refused to perform the scan unless a previous debt of 300 dirhams was settled.
- The incident has sparked an investigation by the public prosecutor's office and raised concerns about the treatment of patients with serious illnesses in Moroccan hospitals.
