The Ministry of Health Organizes Inaugural Meeting for the Implementation of the WHO Framework for PWLE Engagement

Implementation of the WHO Framework for Meaningful Engagement of People with Lived Experience of Cancer in Morocco

On 4–5 November 2024, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, through the Directorate of Epidemiology and Disease Control, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), convened a national stakeholder meeting in Rabat to launch the implementation of the WHO Framework for Meaningful Engagement of People Living with Noncommunicable Diseases, including Cancer, in Morocco.

As one of the first countries in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) to implement this framework, Morocco is taking an important step toward ensuring that the perspectives and lived experiences of people affected by cancer are meaningfully integrated into health policy, programme design, and service delivery.

Aligned with the National Multisectoral Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (2019–2029) and the National Cancer Prevention and Control Plan (2020–2029), the meeting promoted a people-centred, multisectoral approach to cancer prevention and control. It brought together people with lived experience of cancer (PWLE), patient organizations, representatives of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and other government sectors, healthcare professionals, researchers, civil society organizations, and development partners to identify enabling factors for meaningful engagement and to define priority actions for implementation.

Representing NABD-BC2, the Association’s President, Mrs. Ikram Eseghir, delivered a presentation highlighting the association’s mission, achievements, and ongoing initiatives to support people with lived experience of cancer in Morocco. Her presentation emphasized the importance of patient leadership, partnership, and multisectoral collaboration in improving cancer care and ensuring that the voices of people with lived experience are reflected in decision-making processes.

Throughout the two-day workshop, participants reviewed the WHO framework, discussed its guiding principles and their application in the Moroccan context, assessed the current state of meaningful engagement, and collaboratively developed priority actions and a preliminary roadmap for implementation. The workshop also fostered dialogue among stakeholders and strengthened collaboration between public institutions, healthcare providers, patient organizations, and people with lived experience.

For NABD-BC2, participation in this meeting represents an important milestone in advancing patient engagement in Morocco. The association remains committed to working alongside national and international partners to promote meaningful participation of people with lived experience of cancer and to contribute to more inclusive, equitable, and people-centred cancer policies and services.

NABD-BC2 extends its sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the World Health Organization for organizing this landmark initiative and looks forward to continuing its collaboration with all stakeholders to strengthen patient engagement and improve cancer care in Morocco.

NABD-BC2 — Let your voice be heard!