A team of surgeons from the Kingdom of Morocco arrived in Kenya for a week-long medical mission aimed at restoring hearing for more than 50 children with hearing impairments.
The visiting specialists will collaborate with local Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) experts at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) between November 3 and 7 2025, conducting Cochlear Implant surgeries to help children with severe to profound hearing loss regain the ability to hear and communicate effectively.
The Moroccan delegation was received by Dr. Joel Lessan, Senior Director for Clinical Services at KNH, who lauded the partnership as a testament to international cooperation in advancing specialized healthcare for children.
Cochlear implant surgery is a highly specialized procedure designed for patients with significant hearing loss. It involves surgically placing an electronic device into the cochlea to directly stimulate the auditory nerve — enabling sound perception and improving speech and language development.
This initiative not only provides life-changing interventions for young patients but also fosters knowledge exchange between Kenyan and Moroccan medical professionals, strengthening regional capacity in advanced ENT care.
Meanwhile, families in western Kenya will soon access lifesaving heart surgery closer to home as Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) prepares to open a modern cardiac unit in Kisumu.
The new facility will be supported by Dr. Juma Odoro and Dr. Robert Sadia, two cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons who have returned after five years of specialised training — a major boost to specialised healthcare in the Lake Region.
JOOTRH Acting CEO Joshua Okise said plans are at an advanced stage to procure the Essenz Perfusion System, a next-generation heart-lung machine that enhances precision and patient safety.
Once operational, JOOTRH will become the fourth hospital in Kenya to use the system, joining Tenwek and Nairobi hospitals.
