King Mohammed vi lays first stone for oncology hospital in al Hoceima

Morocco's King Mohammed VI laid here Saturday the first stone of a regional oncology hospital and a residence for patients' relatives in the northeastern city of Al Hoceima.

The sovereign also handed a set of medical equipment, worth 6,8 million DH ($680,000) to the city's Mohammed V hospital, donated by the Mohammed VI foundation for solidarity.

The Al Hoceima province, with its 424,000 inhabitants has 54 healthcare centers including 45 in rural areas and three local hospitals with a 413 bed capacity. The province's medical staff consists of 103 doctors and 347 medics.

The cancer hospital will be built in partnership between the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, the health department, the agency of northern regions promotion and development, the regional and municipal councils of Al Hoceima, under a convention signed on the occasion under the chairmanship of the sovereign.

The facility, extending over 5,000m2, will necessitate a 53 million DH (some $5.3 million) budget. The building for patients' relatives, to cover 1,000m2, will cost three million Dirhams ($300,000).