Cardiovascular diseases in constant rise in Morocco, association

President of "Big Heart" association, Professor Mohammed Arharbi, said cardiovascular diseases are in a constant rise in Morocco, given that most of the patients cannot afford the usually expensive medicine.

Arharbi was speaking at a press conference held to present the association, newly set up to improve the treatment and social services offered to poorest patients who need costly medicine or surgery.

Some 3,500 newborns in Morocco have a heart malformation and 1,000 among them need surgery, he added.

The "Big Heart" Association, set up at the initiative of a group of cardiologists and NGOs, aims to back poor people suffering from heart diseases and facilitate their social, educational and professional integration.

It will also foster public awareness as to heart diseases by organizing seminars and information campaigns.