The Marrakech International Film Festival Foundation is organizing, from 4 to 9 April at the Hassan II Hospital of Specialties in Laâyoune, a new medico-social campaign dedicated to cataract surgery.

Targeting destitute populations and focused on the screening of visual impairments and eye diseases, the campaign, which is part of the Foundation's humanitarian commitment, aims to treat 300 patients suffering from cataracts to benefit from free medical and surgical treatments, indicates a statement from the Foundation, reports the MAP.

The operation will require more than 180 hours of surgical procedures performed by 10 specialized practitioners, volunteers, and members of the Hassan II Ophthalmology Foundation, according to the MAP.

Placed under the High Patronage of H.M. King Mohammed VI and the effective presidency of H.R.H. Prince Moulay Rachid, the Marrakech Festival Foundation is organizing this campaign in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Hassan II Ophthalmology Foundation, and will be supported by artists Dounia Boutazout and Rachid El Ouali.

The humanitarian action of cataract surgery is also an important cultural moment, as it promotes access to cinema for all, particularly in areas and regions lacking cinemas and cultural centres in general, according to the same source.

The campaign will thus be accompanied by cinematographic caravans installed in Laâyoune, in partnership with the Moroccan Cinematographic Centre (CCM).

The Marrakech Film Festival Foundation organizes two cataract surgery campaigns per year. These have so far concerned the regions of Marrakech (2009-2010), Marrakech, Rabat, and Tiflet (2011), Marrakech, Tata, and Guelmim (2012), Demnate and Tahanaout (2013), Dakhla and Tahanaout (2014), Berkane and Khénifra (2015).

These humanitarian actions have benefited from the support of renowned artists such as: Hélène de Fougerolles, Youssra, Marie Gillain, Sridevi, Saïd Naciri, Aziz Dades, Khadija Assad, Aziz Saadallah, Mohamed Khouyi, Hicham Bahloul, Kamal Kadimi, Fatima Tihihite, Younès Megri, Asmae Khamlichi, Samia Akariou, and Driss Rhoukh.