Nouamane Cherkaoui
Secretary General of the National Professional Union of Opticians in Morocco (SPNOM)
Between falsification of diplomas and proliferation of glasses sold online, the optical sector is sinking into anarchy. A market with immense potential, undermined by abuses which compromise the visual health of citizens and raise questions about the inaction of the authorities.
In your opinion, what are the mechanisms that favor the issuance of unaccredited optician diplomas and what measures could stop this phenomenon?
The current situation is based on several regulatory and structural shortcomings. Law 13-00, which governs professional training, requires accreditation after three years of operation only for schools that request it.
However, the ministry has neither the means nor the will to control non-accredited establishments. This lack of supervision is all the more problematic in paramedical professions such as optics, where technical competence is essential. Added to this are administrative shortcomings.
The lack of personnel dedicated to control, the exclusion of paramedical health professionals from national and regional committees, and the absence of a professional training card taking into account supply and demand.
This anarchy led to the uncontrolled emergence of training institutes. We therefore plead in favor of an optics sector not dependent on professional training, because the current framework is not adapted to such a technical profession.
-How can we ensure that medical caravans remain beneficial for local populations without making money?
Medical caravans, when well supervised, play a crucial role in remote regions. However, certain associations divert these initiatives by claiming to offer social actions when it is an illegal exercise of medicine and the profession of optician. We have filed several complaints and contacted different administrations, in particular the General Secretariat of the Government, the Ministry of the Interior and that of Health. To avoid these abuses, a medical caravan must be free in all respects, without exception. We call for reinforced coordination with the authorities to control and even sanction these abuses.
What actions could your union take to counter the online sale of non-compliant medical devices?
It does not go without saying that the sale of glasses online constitutes one of the major dangers for the visual health of citizens. Every day, illegal advertisements abound on social networks. We alerted the authorities and produced several television reports to raise public awareness. We are impatiently awaiting the bill announced by the Minister of Industry and Commerce, which aims to regulate these practices. It is also necessary to strengthen controls on platforms and launch targeted campaigns to inform consumers of the risks associated with these non-compliant products.
What progress has been made on the creation of the Order of Professionals provided for by Law 45-13 and its potential impact?
The establishment of this Order is essential to structure the sector. Law 45-13 provides for implementing decrees to be published within two years following its adoption in 2019. Unfortunately, no significant progress has been recorded since. Our union has increased its actions to move this issue forward, but without concrete answers. A professional order would have the necessary tools to effectively regulate the profession, standardize practices and prevent abuse. We call for strong political will to realize this crucial project for the future of the sector.
Ayoub Ibnoulfassih / ECO Inspirations
