On September 15, 2026, Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Asmaa, who presides over the Lalla Asmaa Foundation, alongside Her Excellency Rachel Ruto, the First Lady of the Republic of Kenya and leader of the "Voice of Children Initiative" Foundation, conducted a significant visit to the Mohammed VI International University Hospital in Rabat. This visit focused on Kenyan and Moroccan children who have benefited from cochlear implants as part of the fourth phase of the international initiative titled "United, We Hear Each Other Better" and the national campaign "NASMAA." The event marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to provide essential hearing support to children with profound hearing loss.
The cohort of Kenyan children involved in this initiative represents a portion of a larger group of 100 young patients experiencing severe deafness. This significant program, which was introduced in Nairobi on November 5, 2025, is designed to provide cochlear implants to 70 children in Kenya's capital while facilitating the treatment of 30 additional children in Morocco. Remarkably, ten of these children have received identical care pathways in Morocco that are typically available to Moroccan patients, showcasing a strong commitment to equitable healthcare.
This initiative is emblematic of the humanitarian vision championed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, which emphasizes active South-South cooperation and solidarity. The fourth phase of the "Together, We Hear Each Other Better" program not only equips these children with the ability to hear but also fosters their capacity to communicate, learn, and ultimately thrive in their communities. Princess Lalla Asmaa's active involvement reinforces the Moroccan commitment to an inspiring and innovative approach, ensuring that the Kingdom extends its growth and support to its neighbors rather than seeking to progress in isolation.
Through this collaborative framework established by the Foundation, 100 hearing-impaired children from Kenya have gained access to Moroccan medical expertise, joining a broader network of hundreds of children from 22 different nations across Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. This model of international cooperation reflects the will of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to leverage Morocco's expertise for the benefit of sister nations, a vision that is meticulously executed under the watchful eye of HRH Princess Lalla Asmaa, who is deeply involved in overseeing the Foundation's initiatives, patient care, and strategic partnerships.
In addition to the "United, We Hear Each Other Better" program, the Foundation is also actively implementing the national "NASMAA" campaign, which is being rolled out simultaneously across five cities—Rabat, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakesh, and Oujda—and five hospital facilities. This campaign has successfully provided cochlear implants to over 1,050 Moroccan patients free of charge, surpassing the 1,000-patient milestone and including adult recipients for the first time, with ages reaching as high as 56 in Marrakesh and 62 in Fez.
Upon their arrival at the Mohammed VI International University Hospital, Princess Lalla Asmaa and Rachel Ruto were honored with a ceremonial welcome by a detachment of the Auxiliary Forces. They were also warmly received by several dignitaries, including Jessica Gakinya, the Ambassador of Kenya to Morocco, and local officials such as Mohamed Yacoubi, the Wali of the Rabat-Salé-Kenitra region. The visit was further enriched by the presence of leaders from various Moroccan institutions, including the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI) and the Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the event.
As reported by maroc.ma.
