A team of surgeons from the Kingdom of Morocco has arrived in Kenya to conduct a week-long medical mission focused on performing Cochlear Implant surgeries on over 50 children with severe hearing impairments.
The collaborative initiative, running from November 3rd to
7th, 2025, brings together Moroccan specialists and local Ear, Nose, and Throat
(ENT) experts from Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) to restore hearing and
enhance the quality of life for affected children.
This medical mission follows a significant donation of
cochlear implant devices valued at Sh120 million, handed over to the Ministry
of Health by Kenya's First Lady, Rachel Ruto, under her Voice of Children
Program.
The devices were generously donated by Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Asma of Morocco, symbolising the strengthening diplomatic and health partnership between Kenya and Morocco.
This donation aims to provide
advanced hearing technology to children across Kenya, enabling them to hear
sounds and develop communication skills with the help of these implants.
During the handover ceremony held in late October 2025,
Mama Rachel described the gift as more than monetary—it represents
the gift of sound, connection, and renewed possibility.
“For the children and families who will benefit, it means hearing laughter, music, and the voices of loved ones—some for the very first time,” she said.
She urged the Ministry of Health to ensure careful
coordination for both the surgeries and essential post-surgical therapy so
recipients can fully adapt to their new hearing abilities.
The cochlear implant procedure involves surgically placing an electronic device inside the cochlea to stimulate the auditory nerve, a life-changing technology specifically suited for children with severe to profound hearing loss.
Before this donation and collaborative effort, cochlear
implant surgery was among the services not previously available within Kenya's
health system.
Dr Joel Lessan, Senior Director for Clinical Services at
KNH, welcomed the Moroccan team and emphasised the mission's importance as a
step toward establishing Kenya as a regional centre for advanced ear and
hearing care.
“This initiative aligns with Kenya's National Ear and
Hearing Care Strategic Plan and is a significant step toward addressing
childhood hearing loss through a person-centred approach supported by
international cooperation and government backing. It embodies hope and
possibility for children living with hearing disabilities, inspiring
partnerships that bring dignity and opportunity to vulnerable communities,” he
said.
This week-long surgical mission by Moroccan surgeons,
supported by the generous donation facilitated by the First Lady, marks a
pivotal moment in Kenya's healthcare efforts to restore hearing and transform
lives for children across the country.
The surgery, typically performed under general anesthesia, involves making an incision behind the ear to place the internal receiver under the scalp and insert an electrode array into the inner ear (cochlea).
