This 3rd March 2023, Kampala Audiology and Speech Centre partnered with the Otolaryngology society of Uganda and Masaka Regional Referral hospital to commemorate world hearing day. The trio hosted an event open to the public at the eye clinic at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital.
During this event, senior audiologists and speech therapists in Uganda offered free hearing screening tests to the general public and sensitized the public about best practices in ear and hearing care.
Mrs. Fiona Kamya, a Senior Audiologist, Kampala Audiology and Speech Centre remarked that KASCentre was happy with the investment in infrastructure and equipment at Masaka Regional Referral. She thanked the Hospital management for the invitation to celebrate World Hearing Day together.
Mrs. Kamya continued to stress the importance of people staying away from noisy environments like bars and clubs that play very loud music. “We’ve noticed an increase in the numbers of people with hearing loss that work in loud environments.” she continued “The challenge with hearing loss is that it occurs slowly over a long period of time and people get to realilze reduced when its too late.” She also cautioned the public against the prolonged use of earphones and earbuds, at high volume levels.
Mrs. Kamya also urged pregnant women to take extra care before taking medication for any complication, advising them to go to hospital to seek proper check up and medical advice before.
In his remarks, Mr. Eddie Mukaaya, the Executive Director of Hear his Voice Uganda said “The reason for the day is to make known to the public, more especially to people in rural parts of the country, that there are ear and hearing care services available in Uganda.” He also shared that in Uganda now there is alot of technology and human resource to provide the highest quality services to people with hearing loss. Right from audiologists, hearing engineers, surgeons and speech therapists.
“Today we recorgnize the different people that are involved in the whole spectrum of treatment of hearing loss and call upon the Government include these different professionals in the employment structures at the Ministry of Health.”
Dr. Chris Ndoleriire, the president of the Otalaryngology Society of Uganda thanked the Government of Uganda, through Ministry of Health for providing support to ENT specialists to commemorate World Hearing Day. “Previously we used to rent facilities to celebrate the day, but today, we are celebrating this day in a Government Hostpital”
“We do not want the public to label those with hearing loss with discriminatory terms like “kisiru” (‘fool’) but instead embrace them and provide them with all the help they need to access the treatment they need.” Dr. Ndoleliire in his remarks also emphasized that hearing is a multi-disciplinary area and requested that Masaka Regional Referral Hospital invest more in human resources for the ENT department by hiring an audiology assistant and also construct an audiology booth at the hospital. Dr. Ndoleriire also advocated for the government to take up speech therapists within the structures in Ministry of health and in Government hospitals as well.
The chief guest, Dr. Ssali Charles from the Department of Clinical Services at Ministry of Health said “It is the desire of our Government to have all Ugandans healthy and well. Many sicknesses and diseases that people are suffering from, are brought about because of careless lifestyles and poor sanitation.” He told the guests present and the public in attendance that treatment is usually very expensive, yet prevention is not costly at all. “We desire to let the public know that they can prevent the discomfort, suffering and expenditure brought on by many of these conditions through careful living.”
“One of the main agendas of the ministry of health is universal health coverage, which seeks to provide affordable healthcare for all. We are glad that days like these help the Ministry to fulfill one of its main agendas.” He continued “The Ministry of Health seeks to build systems for the provision of health and social care for all agegroups over the next 10 years. Provision of services to people with hearing loss is particularly challenging when there is a growing demand ffor those services.”
Dr. Ssali also stated that everyone should be able to access the services they need and to know where they can access the services, care and support in their local areas and be assured that they will have timely access to those services and support when they need them. “People who are deaf or living with unmanaged hearing loss problems are more likely to need support if they will reach their full education, employment and social potential.”
The World Hearing Day celebrations at Masaka regional Referral Hospital was attended by representatives from Mbarara University of Science and Technology, The Uganda Federation of the Hard of Hearing, Hear His Voice Uganda, Makerere University ENT Department, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Kampala Audiology and Speech Centre, members of the press and the general public.
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