Medical campaign in Al Haouz delivers over 400 cataract surgeries

Thursday 04 December 2025 - 09:20

By: Sahili Aya

Medical campaign in Al Haouz delivers over 400 cataract surgeries

A large-scale medical mission dedicated to preventing avoidable blindness is underway in the Al Haouz province, where more than 400 cataract surgeries are being performed at the Provincial Hospital Center of Tahannaout. The initiative, which runs until December 5, is led by the Marrakech International Film Festival Foundation in coordination with Morocco’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the Hassan II Foundation of Ophthalmology.

Held annually as part of the Festival’s social programmes, the campaign aims to bring essential eye care to residents of remote communities affected by limited access to medical services. In addition to surgeries, approximately 3,000 people are expected to receive eye examinations, while 400 food baskets will be distributed to vulnerable families across the province.

According to Nadia El Hansali, project manager at the Festival Foundation, the campaign is structured in two phases: large-scale screenings followed by surgical interventions for eligible patients. She emphasized that the mission seeks to reduce the impact of healthcare inequalities, particularly in areas still recovering from the recent earthquake.

Now in its 29th edition, the initiative mobilizes multidisciplinary medical teams who provide free consultations, eyeglasses, and awareness sessions on the importance of early detection of eye diseases. Significant logistical resources have also been deployed to ensure high-quality care.

Professor Younes Akannour, a specialist in ophthalmic medicine and surgery, noted that dozens of procedures were carried out on the first day alone, including pediatric interventions and treatments for post-earthquake complications. He added that medical teams will soon visit patients in their home communes to assess recovery and confirm the success of the performed surgeries.