Morocco announces plan for the elderly

With a proportion of 7% of persons aged above 65 years (2.3 million souls), the issue of aging persons is not a top priority in Morocco but will soon become one, said Mohamed Said Saadi, Moroccan secretary of state in charge of social protection, family and children.

In an interview with MAP's bureau in Montreal, the Moroccan official, who took part in a world conference of the International Federation of Aging people held this September 3-9, said that while Morocco is aware of problems facing old people, there is, however, a shortage of studies and surveys on the socioeconomic conditions of old people and their needs.

He added that his department has set a national committee that groups representatives of all concerned ministries, NGOs and researchers to draw up a national work plan that will be made public on October 1, the world day for old persons.

The rate of old people is expected to reach 10% between 2014 and 2017.

During his participation in the Montreal conference, the Moroccan official held talks with delegates of institutions and non-governmental organizations at the Canadian federal level and at the level of the French-speaking province of Quebec.