In the Kingdom of Morocco, the Sovereign Order of Malta is involved in many humanitarian projects, some of which involve international cooperation between the Order and the Kingdom, particularly the thousands of cataract operations performed in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
As they recover their sight, clouded by cataracts, these older people can now see their grandchildren, a tremendously emotional experience.
The Ambassador has visited these surgical programmes, with Fr Claude Griscelli, Embassy adviser.
The Order of Malta also provides continuing support to dispensaries and hospitals, especially in rural areas, and regularly supplies equipment and materials needed for paediatric services to operate properly.
During the Covid-19 crisis, the Order wanted to maintain close contact with deprived groups, and undertook distribution of food parcels generously supplied to the suburbs of Casablanca and Rabat, Temara and Oualidia.
Finally, 2020 was the second year of the rollout of the national plan for pain relief in paediatric hospitals.
The first donations of morphine pumps – imported to Morocco for the first time, whose certification has been ensured by the Order in collaboration with Ministry of Health – were supplied to paediatric oncology departments at the hospitals in Casablanca, Rabat, Fez and Marrakesh.
A formal presentation was held at the Residency of the Sovereign Order of Malta in Rabat, at which agreements were signed and individual training given, attended by department senior Professors, a representative from the Ministry of Health and His Excellency Ambassador Lazreq, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International cooperation.
This project, stemming from an idea by Fr Griscelli, is intended to reduce the suffering of children in hospital and thus improve their care.
These first morphine pumps also raise awareness of the value of this device in spreading hope.
The Order of Malta is committed to pursue this collaboration, which has been made possible in partnership with Sanofi, an undertaking over several years.
Sanofi group representatives were also present at the ceremony in the Ambassador’s residence.
