Kenya has made a major advancement in inclusive healthcare with the launch of the Cochlear Implant Programme at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). The initiative, valued at over KSh 120 million, aims to enhance access to specialised hearing care for children with hearing disabilities and marks a significant milestone in expanding paediatric ear and hearing services across the country.
The programme includes the provision of 70 cochlear implants and represents a collaborative effort to strengthen medical partnerships and promote equitable healthcare. During the week-long medical mission leading up to the launch, 25 children successfully received cochlear implants, with the goal of reaching 50 beneficiaries in total. The surgeries were conducted through collaboration between Moroccan surgeons and Kenyan ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists — an excellent example of South–South cooperation in healthcare.
The Ministry of Health has reaffirmed its dedication to prioritising ear and hearing care as a crucial pillar of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Cochlear implant surgeries are now included under the Social Health Authority (SHA) benefit package, costed at KSh 358,400, helping to protect families from catastrophic medical expenses. This inclusion ensures that children who require the procedure can access it affordably through the national health insurance framework.
In addition, cochlear implants have been incorporated into the Kenya Essential Medical Supplies List (2023) for Level 5 and Level 6 hospitals. The government, through the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), is working to make the devices more accessible. Furthermore, under the AT Scale Project, the Ministry has distributed hearing devices and diagnostic equipment to over 25 health facilities nationwide, restoring hearing and improving quality of life for many individuals.
The launch also featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Kenya and the Kingdom of Morocco, strengthening cooperation in medical training and child welfare through the Kenya Voice of Children Foundation and the Princess Lalla Asmaa Foundation.
This landmark programme underlines Kenya’s growing commitment to advancing specialised healthcare, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to hear, communicate, and thrive within an inclusive society.
