Heart diseases major cause of death in Moroccan cities

Heart diseases are one of the major causes of death in Moroccan cities, Moroccan Health Minister Abdelouahed El Fassi said.

Morocco, like other developing nations, witnessed an increase of heart diseases due mainly to changes in the way of life, food, aging and tobacco, El Fassi said over the weekend at the opening of a symposium on cardiology.

He announced that his department will conduct a study on the causes of heart diseases for better prevention. He added that for the first time Morocco earmarked funds as part of the five-year development plan (1999-2003) to fight against heart diseases.

The two-day symposium held under the theme "Cardiology in Year 2000," is attended by 200 Moroccan and foreign experts.