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Double tragedy in Essaouira sparks call for antidote availability
The commune of Tidzi, in Morocco’s Essaouira province, was shaken by a heartbreaking tragedy. A 13-year-old boy died after being bitten by a viper, only two days after his father had succumbed to the same cause.
The incident highlights a persistent issue in Morocco: the lack of antidotes for snake and scorpion venom in public hospitals, particularly in rural and mountainous areas.
In response, the parliamentary group of the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS) addressed a written question to the Minister of Health and Social Protection, Amine Tahraoui, demanding immediate measures to end what they described as a “deadly shortage” of antidotes.
According to the PPS, the absence of proper treatment aggravated the tragedy, which could have been avoided had antidotes been available. This shortage poses a constant risk to thousands of Moroccans living in remote areas, especially during summer, when venomous bites and stings are most frequent.
For the PPS, the problem goes beyond supply issues, revealing structural weaknesses in the healthcare system. Peripheral hospitals, often under-equipped, struggle to save lives in emergencies, even though these antidotes exist and are classified as essential medicines.
The parliamentary group urged the government to launch a national plan ensuring antidote availability in all health centers, with a fair distribution system, stock monitoring, and awareness campaigns targeting both rural populations and medical staff.
The tragedy has reignited debate over the right to health and equality of care, stressing the urgent need for preparedness to prevent avoidable deaths.