CBM/SEEPD partner to scale up Uptake of Neonatal Services in NWR
Statistics from the World Health Organization estimate that about 430 million people are living with disabling hearing loss amongst them 34 million children. The head of the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department of the CBC Health Services Dr. Acha Everistus highlighted these facts at the start of a 2-day workshop on Neonatal screening which took place at the Baptist Center Nkwen Bamenda from July 29-30, 2024.
The workshop brought together nurses, midwives, and some ENT Staff drawn from 12 health facilities in the North West Region. The training was organized by the Comprehensive Program for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and Inclusive Access to Basic Services of Health and Education in the Northwest Region of Cameroon.
Underlining the importance of newborn screening of hearing and vision, the ENT Surgeon, Dr. Acha noted that 5 -5 per 1000 newborns have some form of hearing loss stressing that hearing loss has a profound effect on the ability of an individual to communicate with others. He regretted that developing countries have few programs to prevent and treat ear diseases. However, he expressed that 50% of the causes of hearing loss are preventable the reason CBC Health Services in 2020 piloted the neonatal initiative in Nkwen Baptist Hospital, Mbingo Baptist Hospital, Tubah District Hospit, and Bamenda Regional Hospital to enhance awareness and understanding of the importance of early hearing screening in newborns. As the initiative continued to scale up, 8 other facilities were added in 2021 to 2024 making it 12 health facilities.
With her reach experience in screening over the years, Kumka Adella, Hearing Aid Audiologist and ENT nurse from Mbingo Baptist Hospital, schooled the participants on hearing screening. She said hearing loss varies in degree ranging from mild to profound. Hard-of-hearing people can listen to conversation with loud sounds while deaf people often have little or no residual hearing and may benefit from sign language. She emphasized that early screening is best and can be done after birth and during immunization. She trained the participants on practical ways to screen the newborns, with participants engaging in practical sessions to have a better understanding of the exercise.
A specialist in Ear and hearing care from Shomea Foundation in Israel, Dr. Vofo Shomea drilled participants on the COHVIN screening model of hearing and vision, equipment care, and what to communicate to parents before, during, and after screening. During the workshop, participants also gained knowledge on neonatal eye screening.
Some new facilities were handed the neonatal screening machine. The participants expressed that the initiative will go a long way to prevent disability from hearing loss. They promised to train other staff in their facilities as well as raise awareness to ensure a massive increase in access to the services.
At the end of the workshop, the Project Coordinator noted that the initiative is being implemented in the region, thanks to support from CBM. He urged the participants and the hospital administrations to own the initiative and put strategies in place that ensure sustainability. Dr. Acha implored them to use the screening machines judiciously. He reiterated that the screening of newborn babies should be the standard of care.
