Lalla Asmaa and Rachel Ruto's Compassionate Visit to Cochlear Implant Recipients
On Tuesday, Princess Lalla Asmaa, who heads the Lalla Asmaa Foundation, and Rachel Ruto, the First Lady of Kenya and chairperson of the Voice of Children Foundation, visited the Mohammed VI International University Hospital in Rabat. This significant visit was aimed at meeting with both Kenyan and Moroccan patients who have benefited from cochlear implants, illustrating the collaborative efforts in healthcare and support for those with hearing impairments.
This initiative is part of the fourth phase of the international program "Together, We Hear Better" and the national campaign "NASMAA." Among the patients, the Kenyan children are part of a group of 100 young individuals suffering from severe hearing loss, which the program has been addressing since its launch in Nairobi on November 5, 2025. This phase aims to implant 70 children in Kenya while accommodating 30 others in Morocco, ensuring they receive the same standard of care as their Moroccan counterparts.
In alignment with King Mohammed VI's vision for practical and supportive South-South cooperation, this program is designed to help young beneficiaries experience the world of sound, enhance their communication abilities, and foster learning opportunities while promoting a valuable exchange of skills between nations.
Thanks to the relentless efforts of the Lalla Asmaa Foundation, 100 Kenyan children have been able to access Moroccan expertise, mirroring the assistance provided to hundreds of children from 22 countries across Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. Concurrently, the Foundation continues its "NASMAA" campaign, reaching out to hospitals in Rabat, Casablanca, Fès, Marrakech, and Oujda, directly benefiting 1,050 Moroccan patients. Notably, for the first time, adults have been included in this initiative, with successful implantations for individuals aged 56, 41, and 62 in Marrakech and Fès, respectively.
Upon their arrival, Princess Lalla Asmaa and Rachel Ruto were warmly welcomed by several dignitaries, including the Kenyan Ambassador to Morocco, Jessica Gakinya, the wali (governor) of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region, Mohamed Yacoubi, and various officials from the Foundation, the hospital, and partner institutions.
As reported by yabiladi.com.
