Colorectal Medicine in Casablanca

Colorectal medicine is a field of medicine that focuses on the disorders of the colon, rectum, and anus. Physicians specializing in this field of medicine are called colorectal doctor or colon and rectal doctor. They are trained to diagnose, treat, and manage a wide range of diseases, including Hemorrhoids, Anal itching, Fistulas, Anal fissures, Anal cancer, Colon cancer, Rectal cancer, Chron’s disease, Diverticulitis, Ulcerative colitis, Pilonidal cysts, Rectal prolapse, Fecal incontinence, Anal condyloma, Chronic constipation, Problems with bowel movements and urination.

Colorectal doctors are highly experienced and qualified to use numerous medical procedures to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the colon, rectum, and anus. These procedures include, but are not limited to Physical exams, including evaluation of vital signs and blood pressure, Colonoscopy, Barium enema, Digital rectal examination, Capsule Endoscopy, Proctoscopy, Sigmoidoscopy, Defecating proctography, Bowel surveillance.

Some colorectal doctors are also trained to perform surgery, such as bowel obstruction repair, pelvic laparoscopy, colectomy, colostomy, hemorrhoidectomy, polypectomy, strictureplasty, and more depending on the patient’s particular condition. They can also prescribe medications, such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.

How Long Should I Stay in Casablanca?

The length of stay depends on the type of procedure you underwent. For most diagnostic procedures, you should be able to leave Casablanca within 2 to 3 days or until the results are ready. Once the result is ready, you will have to see your colorectal doctor. They will explain the results and discuss the treatment plan with you, if necessary. For surgical procedures, it is wise to stay for 3 to 7 days to let your body recover. You may also need to attend a follow-up checkup where your doctor removes the surgical stitches and monitor your healing progress.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

For many procedures, such as colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy, you should be able to resume normal activities within 24 hours or after the sedation wears off. With surgical procedures, it may take around six to twelve weeks until you can go back to your normal activity, with the exception of strenuous activities. Your doctor will give you a recovery timeline, which includes when you can return to work and your full daily activities.

What Aftercare is Required?

Your medical team will give you aftercare instructions. It may include recommended diet, exercises, activity restrictions, and wound care (if any incision were made). For cancer patients, you may need to attend regular checkups. You do have the option to have the checkups with your local doctor at home if you cannot travel to Casablanca multiple times. For non-cancer patients, your doctor will decide whether you need a follow-up checkup or not.

What's the Success Rate?

Thanks to the continuous advancement of colorectal medicine, the diagnostic procedures are now more accurate and the treatments are more successful than they were previously. More and more procedures are performed using new techniques and technology as well. For example, your doctor can now explore the entire colon without creating any incision or causing significant discomfort to you by using colon capsule endoscopy. However, this does not mean that there are no risks to colorectal procedures. Although uncommon, you still need to be aware of the risks, such as bleeding and infection.

Are there Alternatives?

In some cases, your general physician may be able to diagnose and treat your condition. However, if they think you need specialist treatment, they will still refer you to a colorectal doctor. 

Colorectal Medicine in and around Casablanca

About Casablanca

Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco and is located in the central-western part of the country. Many local and international companies set up their headquarters in this city, making it the primary industrial zone of the country. Casablanca might be the least popular tourist destination in the country, but take a closer look, it does have a lot of hidden gems. Tourists will find many astonishing things to see here. From beaches, markets, culture, to Art Deco architecture, this city is definitely worth a visit.

In line with Morocco’s emerging medical tourism, Casablanca welcomes an increasing number of medical tourists each year. The city is considered to be the most developed market for medical tourists, which in turn as made it one of the leading destinations for medical tourism in Africa. The medical system is divided into two sectors, public and private. The city is known for its modern medical facilities equipped with high-tech equipment. People from the Middle East, Europe, and the United States choose the city for cosmetic surgery and dental procedures, while people from other African countries with inferior medical centers come to have better healthcare. For medical tourists from Western countries, medical treatment in Casablanca is a lot more affordable. 

Popular Areas in Casablanca 

Casablanca is the main gateway to Morocco and despite only having a few tourist attractions; visitors will find some gems after a little exploration.

• Hassan II Mosque was completed in 1993 and built on a platform overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Covering around two hectares in size and can accommodate more than 100,000 worshippers, it is the second-largest mosque in the world. The dramatic location combined with the beautiful architecture offers a unique experience of praying. 
• The Medina or the old city district is a perfect place to wander around. The maze-like alleyways hide many things waiting to be discovered. Tourists can experience the local’s daily life, have some tasty food in one of the cafes, find traditional treasures in one of its shops, or just stroll around and admire its beauty. 
• Cathedral du Sacre Coeur may have been left to waste away in the past decades, but tourists can still see its beautiful structure and architecture. The guardian will sometime let tourists inside to get a sense of the building’s interior. The architecture is a perfect mix of European and Moroccan style. 
• Central Market is the place for tourists who want to shop and it is a bustling market where locals buy and sell groceries, but tourists usually come for Morocco’s famous slippers or solely for an opportunity to get amazing photos. Do a little haggling and take home some beautiful local souvenirs.
• Corniche or beachfront district is located in the same region as the Hassan II Mosque. The shoreline is filled with luxury restaurants, hotels, and beach clubs. There is also a public beach packed with surfers and swimmers. During sunny days, especially on weekends, people come to picnic on the beaches, have a refreshing dip in the sea, or splash around in swimming pools. 

Weather and Climate in Casablanca

The weather in this charming city can be quiet hot as it has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate. Thanks to the cool Canary current off the Atlantic coast, there are always cool breezes even during the hottest days. The summer generally starts in June and ends in August. June is the driest month in Casablanca and August is the hottest month with an average temperature of around 26 °C. The temperature will decrease in October and the average rainfall will increase in December. Winter starts in December and visitors can expect January to be the coldest month with the temperature ranging from 7 °C to 17 °C. February experiences a lot of rain, making it the wettest month of the year.

Getting Around in Casablanca

Casablanca is home to the country’s primary international airport: Casablanca's Mohammed V International Airport. It is the busiest airport in Morocco, located in Nouaceur Province and the airport operates both domestic and international flights which connect the city to many major cities in the Middle East, America, and Europe. Several budget airlines such as Air Arabia Maroc, Transavia Airlines, and Pegasus Airlines operate flights to and from this airport.

There are plenty of options to get around Casablanca and tourists can try the tram to get a good look at the city. The tram operates from 06.00 AM to 10.30 PM. The line connects some of the main neighborhoods and consists of 48 stops. The most inexpensive way to get around the city is by bus and it costs around 5 MAD. It is best to begin your journey at the designated stops along each bus route instead of stopping a bus in transit.

Taxis are widely available and there are two kinds of taxis: The Red taxi (Petit Taxi) or the White Taxi. The red taxi is a shared taxi, typically by four passengers. The White taxis act like buses with a set route and a fixed price, but the ride is much faster than the bus and you should always pay the driver at the start of your trip. 

Tourist Visas in Casablanca

Citizens of 66 countries including Australia, New Zealand, the United States, the European Union, and Japan can enter and stay in the country for up to 90 days without a visa. Citizens of Mali, Guinea, and the Republic of the Congo do not need a visa to enter but must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization. It is best to always check the current regulations to the Moroccan Embassy or Consulate in your country.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD) is the official currency. The exchange rate from 1 USD is 9.70 MAD.
2. Money & Payments: The easiest way to access money is by the ATMs which can be found easily around the city. Credit cards are mostly accepted in high-end restaurants and hotels. Tipping can be mandatory sometimes.
3. Local Language: The official language is Arabic and Berber. French is widely spoken and understood. While English is not widely spoken, there are many people who can speak English, especially in tourist areas.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Most of the population are Muslims. Nevertheless, Christianity, Judaism, and Baha’i Faith are freely practiced.
5. Public Holidays: The city celebrates Islam religious holidays such as Eid al-Fitr, Islamic New Year, and Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday.