A new university hospital center (CHU) in Laâyoune, Morocco, is nearing completion, poised to significantly expand healthcare access in the region. The project aims to alleviate pressure on existing facilities and reduce the need for patients to travel to other cities for specialized care.
Construction of the hospital is currently 80% complete, with an anticipated opening before the end of 2026, according to project officials. The CHU, located in the 25 Mars district near the Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Dentistry, is considered one of the most significant public health projects in southern Morocco.
The complex will span 18 hectares, with nearly half of that area dedicated to buildings. It has a budget of 1.2 billion Moroccan dirhams. “The site is progressing according to the planned schedule and meets international quality standards,” said Hocine El Mouch, the project manager.
The new hospital will offer a range of medical specialties, including nuclear medicine, featuring advanced imaging technology not previously available in the region. Equipment will include high-resolution cameras and advanced imaging techniques.
Currently, work is focused on interior finishing, including painting, tiling, and exterior work. “We are in the final technical and aesthetic stages. The goal is to deliver a fully operational hospital as soon as possible,” El Mouch confirmed.
The CHU is expected to serve a population of over 451,000 residents. The development of the Laâyoune CHU, along with a similar project in Guelmim, underscores a broader effort to improve healthcare infrastructure throughout Morocco, particularly in underserved areas. The projects are part of a national reform of the health system initiated in 2021.
As of early 2026, Morocco had approximately 40 hospital construction projects underway, representing over 4,700 beds. Additional plans include the rehabilitation of 83 existing hospitals and the construction of five new CHUs, one in each region of the country. The Laâyoune CHU is designed to serve the provinces of southern Morocco.
