HIBAPRESS
The topic of "Rare Diseases" was the focus of a meeting held today, Wednesday, at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy in Casablanca, with the presence of a group of specialists, researchers, and institutional actors in this field.
This meeting falls within the framework of Rare Diseases Week 2026, organized by the Ibn Rushd University Hospital Center, the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy in Casablanca, and the Higher Institutes of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, in cooperation with the Moroccan Society of Pharmacology and Therapeutics and a number of national institutions between February 24 and 28.
This meeting represents a collective mobilization that combines training, research, institutional commitment, and community awareness, with the aim of promoting early, coordinated, and equitable care for rare diseases.
On this occasion, Souha Sahraoui, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy in Casablanca, emphasized the need for early diagnosis to ensure better therapeutic management, explaining that these diseases are classified as "rare" because they are not as common as other diseases, and their complications can be very serious.
She added that these diseases may lead to disabilities, which constitutes a social burden and great suffering for families, pointing out that the participants in Rare Diseases Week will address all topics related to these diseases, including research, diagnosis, and awareness.
For his part, Hicham Afif, the General Director of the Ibn Rushd University Hospital Center, affirmed that this week aims to raise awareness among specialists about the importance of early diagnosis and prevention of these diseases, pointing to the need to qualify health care services for these diseases, especially through the establishment of reference centers within university hospitals.
He added that the classification of these diseases according to organic specialization will also enhance diagnosis and treatment capabilities and create integration between the various hospital centers, pointing out that the university hospital also oversees the training and qualification of doctors and paramedical staff.
He stressed the importance of scientific research and innovation as key drivers for accessing the necessary medicines and enabling researchers to develop their expertise in this field.
For her part, Hoda Filali, the president of the Association, confirmed that this week seeks to train medical, pharmaceutical, and nursing students and make them aware of these diseases, pointing out that this training constitutes a basic lever for enhancing early diagnosis, reducing delays in diagnosis, and improving patient care.
She added that this academic and institutional initiative aims to strengthen the training of professionals on the front lines of health care, improve the quality of care pathways, and promote recognition of rare diseases within the health system.
In addition to its scientific and educational dimension, Rare Diseases Week 2026 is open to the world of associations and patients, believing in the pivotal role played by associations in conveying the concerns of patients and contributing to improving the quality of care, as well as organizing awareness campaigns aimed at the general public with the aim of introducing rare diseases, fighting marginalization, and promoting a culture of solidarity and integration.
This event will see the participation of a number of partners and institutions, including the Royal Moroccan Federation for Sports for People with Disabilities, the Directorates of Epidemiology and Disease Control, the National Agency for Health Insurance, the Directorate of Sports at the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the Directorate of Sports Medicine, and academic, hospital, and institutional partners.
