Healthcare is rarely black and white; it’s layered and demanding. It takes more than just knowledge to navigate healthcare—it’s about caring for people and addressing meaningful challenges. In Morocco’s evolving healthcare landscape, Othmane Touzani stands out by quietly focusing on what truly matters.
Othmane’s journey began with a clear understanding: growing up, he observed the opportunities and potential to improve access and quality in medical care. That insight has shaped everything he does. Now, as a Biological Pharmacist leading Touzani Laboratory, he’s doing more than running labs. He’s building trust, enhancing accessibility, and making a lasting impact.
What makes Othmane different is how he combines expertise with genuine care. While technology and efficiency are important, his main focus is always the person behind every test. Each result represents someone deserving of dignity and thoughtful attention.
In today’s complex healthcare environment, Othmane exemplifies true leadership—one rooted in commitment, empathy, and a clear sense of purpose.
Let’s delve into the interview details below!
What inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare, and how has your journey shaped your approach to leadership in the industry?
Growing up in Morocco, I witnessed firsthand the challenges that many communities face in accessing quality healthcare. This awareness, combined with a strong passion for science and social impact, led me to pursue a career as a biological pharmacist. Over the years, my journey has evolved from purely scientific practice to strategic leadership. Establishing and expanding Touzani Laboratory allowed me to see how leadership, when anchored in empathy and discipline, can uplift not just teams, but entire communities. Today, I lead with a purpose-driven mindset—prioritizing accessibility, excellence, and continuous innovation in healthcare services.
What core values guide your decision-making process as a leader, and how do you instill these values in your team?
Integrity, compassion, and excellence are the three pillars that guide every decision I make. Integrity ensures that we always put patients first, without compromise. Compassion reminds us that behind every analysis is a human being, often in a vulnerable state. Excellence drives us to never settle—to improve quality, systems, and outcomes continuously. These values are not just communicated, but lived daily through example, training, and a culture of shared responsibility. I actively involve my team in decision-making, encouraging accountability and ethical rigor.
Over the course of your career, what has been your most significant contribution to advancing healthcare standards in Morocco?
One of my most impactful contributions has been the creation of a reliable and modernized network of medical biology laboratories, operating 7/7 and 24/24 in Casablanca and its surroundings. We’ve pioneered rapid, patient-friendly diagnostics while maintaining rigorous scientific standards. We’ve also implemented internal digitalization and standardization protocols that have improved turnaround times and reduced errors, contributing to a more efficient healthcare ecosystem. Moreover, we collaborate with major insurers and medical institutions to facilitate access to preventive care and wellness screenings, especially in underserved areas.
How has your expertise as a Biological Pharmacist influenced the strategic direction of Touzani Laboratory?
My expertise as a Biological Pharmacist has been central to shaping the scientific vision and operational excellence of Touzani Laboratory. But I must also emphasize the invaluable role of my father, who is himself a seasoned Biological Pharmacist with over 35 years of experience in the field. Growing up alongside such a figure allowed me to immerse myself early in the realities of medical biology—not just the technical aspects, but the ethical, managerial, and human dimensions of the profession. Thanks to his mentorship, I was able to avoid many of the typical beginner mistakes and accelerate the growth and structuring of the laboratory. His legacy gave me a solid foundation upon which I could build a more modern, digitalized, and patient-centered approach. Today, we combine the wisdom of experience with the agility of innovation, and that synergy defines the strategic direction of Touzani Laboratory.
What role has innovation played in your work, particularly in addressing healthcare challenges specific to Morocco?
Innovation is central to our mission at Touzani Laboratory. We’ve made strategic investments in cutting-edge and often costly diagnostic equipment—such as immunoassay analyzers and molecular platforms—that markedly enhance the quality and precision of patient care. These innovations allow for faster, earlier, and more accurate detection of diseases, contributing significantly to better health outcomes. On the digital side, we’ve developed a multilingual chatbot (Arabic, French, English) to guide patients in real time—answering questions, explaining procedures, and tracking results. Combined with our secure online platforms, this enhances accessibility and builds trust through clear, consistent communication.
What are the key initiatives or services at Touzani Laboratory that you believe are reshaping the healthcare industry in Morocco?
At Touzani Laboratory, we focus on three core initiatives that are actively transforming the landscape of diagnostic healthcare in Morocco.
First, our 24/7 operations and our strategic network of laboratories across Casablanca significantly improve accessibility—especially for urgent cases and patients in peripheral zones.
Second, we’ve established strong partnerships with several major companies, factories, and banks to bring health services directly to professionals. For instance, we’ve implemented on-site screening campaigns and regular checkup programs in collaboration with corporate partners, enabling early detection of chronic conditions such as diabetes, anemia, and cardiovascular risks. One recent example includes a tailored diagnostic program developed for the employees of a major industrial group in Casablanca, combining biological assessments with personalized health reports and follow-up.
Third, we invest continuously in staff development and quality assurance by participating in national and international proficiency testing schemes. These efforts ensure not only the reliability of results but also help standardize excellence across all our branches.
Together, these initiatives reflect our commitment to a more accessible, preventive, and quality-driven healthcare system.
Drawing from your experience, what is the most important step young professionals can take to create a lasting impact in the healthcare sector?
Stay grounded in ethics and curious about innovation. Technical skills are essential, but the real difference comes from understanding the human side of healthcare. I encourage young professionals to gain field experience early, develop interdisciplinary knowledge, and build strong communication skills. Most importantly, they should think systemically—healthcare is about more than treatment; it’s about prevention, education, and equity.
As one of Morocco’s Top 5 Impactful Leaders in Healthcare, what is your vision for the future of the healthcare industry in Morocco, and how do you plan to contribute to it through Touzani Laboratory?
My vision is a Morocco where healthcare is not just a service but a right—equally accessible, tech-enabled, and patient-centered. I believe diagnostics will play a pivotal role in the evolution of predictive and personalized medicine, and Touzani Laboratory is preparing to be at the forefront of this transformation. We are currently expanding into genomic testing and investing in smart health solutions that enhance the accuracy, speed, and accessibility of care.
To sustain this ambition, healthcare structures in Morocco must consolidate in order to reach critical size—allowing for strategic investments in innovation and enabling higher-quality service delivery. This consolidation must, however, respect territorial equity and remain under the leadership of healthcare professionals. In this spirit, Touzani Laboratory has proactively reached out to other laboratories to form a collaborative network. By combining our respective areas of expertise, we are building specialized hubs of excellence that promote knowledge-sharing and foster a stronger, more resilient healthcare ecosystem.
Partnering for a Healthier Morocco
The challenges in healthcare cannot be tackled by institutions working in silos. At Touzani Laboratory, we are open to partnerships with startups, universities, public health agencies, and international networks to co-create solutions. Morocco has the talent and potential—we believe that, through collaboration and continuous effort, we can make a meaningful contribution to improving healthcare standards in the region.
