One year after the devastating September 8 earthquake that struck the Al Haouz region, the Global Family Charity Association organized a medical caravan dedicated to the health of women and children in the village of Talat N’Yaacoub and nearby douars including Mchadil.
Barlaman Today had the opportunity to witness the caravan in action as it provided essential care to the local population. The team, consisting of nearly ten specialists from various fields, brought critical medical equipment, including an ultrasound machine for monitoring pregnant women, blood pressure monitors, diabetes detectors, and boxes of medicines for various illnesses.
Founder and President of the association Mounir Bouhiaoui told Barlaman Today that the caravan aims to “address the health needs of the local population, as the nearby dispensaries and hospitals are overwhelmed and unable to meet the demand.”
“Our goal is to offer care and hope to these villagers who have endured a difficult year without adequate medical treatment due to distance and poverty,” Bouhiaoui explained.
In addition to providing on-site treatment, diagnoses, and free medications, the organization partnered with doctors in Marrakech to offer consultations and treatment at half price, Bouhiaoui detailed.
Hundreds of women and children have benefited from the initiative, which is part of a larger effort to support mothers and children in the Haouz province, in collaboration with the region’s Health and Social Protection Delegation.
Dr. Ilham, one of the doctors volunteering with the caravan, emphasized the importance of the initiative: “In commemoration of the earthquake, our association is organizing this caravan to provide medical care and diagnostics, especially focusing on early detection of diseases.”
A local resident expressed gratitude for the caravan’s visit: “We are so thankful for this caravan coming to check on our health. In our douar, healthcare is a luxury, and we usually have to travel far to see a doctor. We need more caravans like this.”
The devastating earthquake claimed over 2,900 lives and injured 5,674, according to the interior ministry. Beyond human casualties, the earthquake left a trail of destruction, leveling close to 19,000 homes.