First Lady Rachel Ruto and Her Royal Highness the Princess Lalla Asmaa of Morocco have launched a cochlear implant partnership at the Kenyatta National Hospital(KNH)
The two witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Voice of Children initiative, domiciled under First lady office and the Princess Lalla Asma Foundation.
Through this partnership, a total of 100 surgeries will be performed, 70 this week, and the remaining 30 in February next year in Morocco.
"Your Royal Highness, we are deeply grateful. Your gift of cochlear implants worth over Sh120 million is not only a contribution to Kenya’s healthcare system, it is a gift of life and sound. It is a gift that restores not just hearing, but dignity and hope, allowing children to experience laughter, music, and their kin’s voices for the very first time," Rachel said.
Cochlear implants are surgically implanted devices used to provide a sense of sound to people with severe-to-profound hearing loss who no longer benefit from traditional hearing aids.
With each implant valued at about Sh4 million per patient, dozens of children between the ages of one and ten stands to benefit.
"I am happy to note that, under SHA, the cost of these procedures will be covered fully including the post-surgery therapy, removing the financial burden that has for too long silenced possibility," the First Lady said.
She said the partnership stands as a testament to the friendship between the Kingdom of Morocco and Kenya.
"We are laying a foundation not only for surgeries, but for health systems strengthening, and a future where every Kenyan child can hear and be heard," she added.
The President of the Princess Lalla Asmaa Foundation, Karim Essakalli said they are involved in similar nobles causes in different parts of Africa.
Essakalli said Princess Asmaa is compassionate about the partnership with the First lady in giving a smile to Kenya children.
Present at the event were Cabinet Secretaries Aden Duale (Health) and Hannah Cheptumo (Gender Culture Arts and Heritage), State Department for Medical Services PS Dr. Ouma Oluga, Nairobi Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Kenya, Abderrazak Laasel and Kenyatta National Hospital CEO Dr. Richard Lesiyampe among others.
Duale expressed his gratitude to Princess Asmaa noting the donation was a remarkable journey in Kenya milestone towards inclusive health care.
"By donating 70 cochlear implants, our Moroccan friends have given Kenyan families the precious gift of hearing— restoring connections to loved ones, the classroom, and society itself," he said.
The CS added that the Ministry of Health is committed to strengthening ear and hearing care as a vital aspect of Universal Health Coverage.
"This programne aligns with our National Ear and Hearing Care Strategic Plan to improve access to screening, surgical intervention, and lifelong rehabilitation in public hospitals," he said
