Controversy Surrounds Moroccan Health Facility Hiring Nurses From Egypt

Over the past weekend, discussions emerged among users after a visual claiming to be from the Egyptian Ministry of Labor circulated online. The social media posts announced that the Moroccan hospital group Akdital would be hiring 800 nurses from Egypt.

This announcement, also shared on social media by the official account of the Egyptian Ministry of Labor, sparked a lively debate among Moroccan internet users, particularly nurses. Many expressed frustration, denouncing the recruitment of foreign workers at the expense of local talent.

Critics highlighted the offer’s attractive benefits, arguing that instead of hiring foreign nurses, efforts should focus on improving wages and working conditions for Moroccan nurses. The widely circulated visual fueled anger on social media, with many questioning why Moroccan nurses are being overlooked when skilled professionals are already available in the country.

However, as of February 10, 2025, a review of the Egyptian Ministry of Labor’s post showed that it referred to 800 job opportunities in Morocco, offering salaries in dollars along with a housing allowance.

The post invited nurses to apply but did not specify the name of the Moroccan hospital group behind the recruitment. In a separate paragraph, it quoted the director of the General Directorate of Labor at the ministry, who said the opportunities were created in response to the needs of Rawaj Administrative Resources Development Co., which aims to provide job opportunities for Egyptian medical professionals to work in one of Morocco’s health facilities.

The post also highlighted an attractive package, including a dollar-based salary, housing allowance, airline tickets, medical insurance, holiday bonuses, and a qualification program before departure and upon arrival in Morocco.

Hours after the post on the ministry's Facebook page, the Moroccan hospital group Akdital issued a press release clarifying its position on recruiting workers from Egypt. The group refuted any agreement with a foreign entity to hire nurses from outside the country as of the time of the announcement.

It also explained that, as part of its 2023-2024 expansion program, Akdital has opened several clinics across various Moroccan cities. This initiative, according to the press release, has enabled the group to hire 4,000 Moroccan professionals in nursing and paramedical fields to improve the quality of healthcare services in the kingdom.

Lastly, Akdital emphasized that its 2025-2026 expansion strategy includes opening additional clinics in various regions to enhance citizens' access to high-quality healthcare. In this context, the group announced plans to recruit new nursing and paramedical staff, with a commitment to prioritizing Moroccan talent.

According to the press release, given the shortage of human resources in the health sector, Akdital does not rule out hiring foreign professionals to address structural shortages.

Egypt’s Ministry of Labor Clarifies Job Opportunities for Nurses in Morocco

On February 10, Egypt's Ministry of Labor released a statement confirming the accuracy of recent reports regarding job opportunities for Egyptian nurses at a health facility in Morocco. The ministry explained that these openings were made possible following a formal request from Rawaj Saudi Resources Development Company, a leading firm in human resources development and talent management.

The statement also included official documentation showing that the request came from the Labor Representation Office in Riyadh.

The ministry firmly rejected claims that the announcement was false or baseless, stressing that all information shared was derived from official documents and communications received from authorized entities. Additionally, the ministry reminded the public that it only publishes job opportunities after receiving valid requests from recognized companies and official bodies.

Combating Healthcare Misinformation

Health and medical misinformation has been prevalent throughout history, but its spread has intensified in recent years, largely due to the rise of the internet, social media, and artificial intelligence. The COVID-19 pandemic further amplified this issue, as people faced fear, confusion, and a mix of emotions fueled by sensational content and misleading stories online. As a result, society has become more aware of the healthcare sector’s significance and increasingly concerned about potential pandemics.

Misinformation in the medical and health sector spans a wide range of topics. Many groups are more vulnerable to these falsehoods, including those with lower trust in healthcare systems or public health policies, individuals with limited health or media literacy, emotionally sensitive people, and those who prefer alternative medicine.

The internet has played a major role in spreading health and medical misinformation, often promoting unproven alternative remedies and pseudoscientific solutions. Additionally, personal beliefs, combined with a lack of media literacy, further fuel false health claims. The consequences can be severe, leading to increased mortality, poorer health outcomes, declining trust in medical professionals, and reduced confidence in public health policies and institutions.

Expert Warns Health Misinformation Poses Serious Risks, Calls for Action

Dr. Mahdi Amri, a Moroccan expert in media and communication, told Misbar that the spread of mis- and disinformation poses a serious social and economic threat. He emphasized that this phenomenon particularly undermines public trust in medical and health institutions and negatively impacts investments in the medical sector.

Amri pointed out that in 2023 and 2024, several incidents highlighted the dangers of fake news and misinformation to public health. He said the spread of misinformation erodes citizens' confidence in health organizations, influences health policies, and inflicts significant economic damage on medical institutions. Private companies and hospitals, in particular, are vulnerable to rumors, which can decrease patient numbers, lead to financial losses, and even threaten the survival of some institutions. Additionally, he noted that fake news often sparks panic, disrupting the health sector and diverting doctors' attention from providing critical care.

Amri told our team that the risks of misinformation in the digital age can be mitigated through several key strategies. First, he highlighted the importance of immediate verification through fact-checking platforms like Misbar, which play a critical role in quickly detecting and correcting misinformation.

He also emphasized the need to promote media literacy among citizens. He suggested that media organizations and universities teach critical thinking and information management to help individuals distinguish between credible and misleading news. Additionally, he pointed out artificial intelligence’s growing role in detecting fake news through content analysis and source verification.

Amri further stressed the social responsibility of digital platforms in implementing policies to limit the spread of fake news. He also recommended that health organizations enhance transparency and institutional communication channels to counter misinformation.

Acknowledging the efforts of investigative journalism and specialized platforms like Misbar in combating health misinformation, Amri said fake news, particularly in the health sector, poses a significant challenge. He emphasized that addressing this issue requires a collective approach involving public awareness, advanced verification technologies, and transparency from all stakeholders.

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