CBC Health Services commemorates World Hearing Day across its Facilities
Globally, more than 1.5 billion people experience some degree of hearing loss. Of these, an estimated 430 million have disabling hearing loss. This number could rise to 700 million by 2025 and less than 20% of people in need of ear and hearing care have access to the services they need.
These facts were disclosed by the Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinical Officer, Chia Rephah Ndim in her presentation at the Morning devotions at the Director of Health Services Central Administration during the commemoration of the 18th edition of World Hearing Day which took place on March 3, 2024. The event was commemorated under the theme, “Changing mindsets: Let’s make ear and hearing care a reality for all”. The theme highlights the importance of correcting misconceptions about hearing loss that are common among the public and primary health providers.
According to Chia Rephah, almost 60% of hearing loss in children is due to causes that can be prevented through measures such as immunization and improved maternal and neonatal care. She added that there is a global shortage of hearing care specialists such as audiologists, and ENT specialists. This shortage is greater in low and middle-income countries, where the need for these services is highest.
During her presentation, she regretted that there are many myths surrounding ear care such as hearing loss is for old people, and is good to clean the earwax, amongst others. She called on the public to avoid cleaning the ear because the ear cleans itself and most especially avoid using cotton buds. Rephah concluded by encouraging everyone to always consult a health professional when they have any pain or discharge from their ears or any ear condition.
As part of the awareness raising activities, the Director of CBC Health Services, Prof Tih Puis Muffih in a speech to all CBC Health Services institutions and partners, called on all healthcare providers to make intentional efforts to promote Ear and Healing care and make it accessible to the community because many people in the community still lack access to the services. “I challenge all CBC Health Services facilities and programs to take deliberate steps to promote Ear and Hearing Care,” Prof Tih noted.
He disclosed that investments have been made to promote a deaf culture with the development of a sign language Dictionary to facilitate communication with the deaf community as part of a strategy to enhance access to care with further plans to develop a dictionary of medical signs for use in the hospitals.
The day was marked by awareness raising led by ENT staff in Mbingo, Mboppi, Banso, Mutengene, Etoug-Ebe Nkwen Baptist Hospitals. An outreach Ear screening was organized by the CBC Health Services ENT department at the CBM Country Office in Yaounde where CBM staff there had their ears screened. A weeklong radio talks was also carried out in some radio stations as part of commemorative activities.
Activities marking World Haring Day were carried out with support from CBM.
