Background : In Morocco, the increasing burden of cancer poses a major challenge to the healthcare system and underscores the need for evidence-informed public health policies that are adapted to national realities. In response to this need, the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) was established as a collaborative institutional platform bringing together key national stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, and the Lalla Salma Foundation for Cancer Prevention and Treatment. The CRI serves as a strategic mechanism to support and strengthen national cancer control efforts.
Objectives : This communication aims to present the role of the Cancer Research Institute as a decision-support structure for public policymaking in the fields of cancer prevention, surveillance, research, and strategic planning in Morocco.
Methods : This communication is based on a descriptive and institutional overview of the CRI’s mandates, strategic pillars, and core activities. These elements are examined in relation to national health priorities, with particular attention to the National Plan for Cancer Prevention and Control, cancer epidemiological surveillance systems, and the development of clinical research.
Results: The Cancer Research Institute (CRI) plays a pivotal role in structuring and coordinating cancer research in Morocco by generating reliable and standardized evidence to inform health planning and policy evaluation. The Institute currently conducts and coordinates research across more than 25 distinct research topics, addressing key areas of cancer prevention, epidemiology, clinical research, and health systems strengthening. In parallel, the CRI brings together a network of more than 650 affiliated researchers contributing to its research, training, and knowledge translation activities. The Institute’s core contributions include: (i) the production and use of high-quality epidemiological data through population-based cancer registries; (ii) support for clinical and interventional research; (iii) capacity building in research methodology, biostatistics, and research ethics; and (iv) the development of strategic national and international partnerships. Collectively, these activities enhance research coordination, improve data quality, and support the evidence-based implementation of the National Cancer Control Plan.
Conclusions/Implications : The Cancer Research Institute has positioned itself as a key institutional actor in public decision-making for cancer control in Morocco. By acting as an interface between scientific research, clinical practice, and public policy, its integration into national health planning processes represents a crucial lever for improving the effectiveness of interventions, reducing health inequities, and optimizing public investment in oncology.
Keywords : Cancer; Research; Prevention; Decision Support; Public Health; Morocco