World Hearing Day 2023: WHO Calls For Synergy To Stall Increase By 2050
Princess-Ekwi Ajide Abuja
World Health Organization, WHO, says an estimated 135 million people have ear and hearing problems in Africa
According to WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, over 1.5 billion people live with ear problems and hearing loss, globally with about 80% of them living in low- and middle-income countries.
The Regional Director who spoke in commemoration of the World Hearing Day 2023, said the burden of ear and hearing problems reflects significant inequalities disproportionately impacting marginalized populations, noting that by 2050, there could be over 338 million people affected by ear and hearing issues in Africa
Dr. Moeti said over 60% of common ear diseases and hearing loss can be detected and often managed at the primary level of care but access to ear and hearing care in most places, continues to be limited to highly specialized centers and clinics.
She said nearly US$ 30 billion are lost due to the collective failure to address hearing loss adequately in the African Region, and acknowledged recent efforts the organisation had made to address hearing care.
Some of these efforts include the ongoing support to Kenya to establish a Center of Excellence for Eye Health Clinic, countries developing and implementing national strategies for ear health.
In 2022, development of two modules on ear and hearing care management for primary health care workers among others.
The Regional Director opined that the excessive burden of the conditions is due to the limited number of ear, nose and throat specialists and audiologists available in African countries this according to her, impacts greatly on the lives of those affected, their families, and their communities.
She stated that integrating ear and hearing care into primary care services is possible through training and capacity building at the level to address the challenges just as it is possible to ensure the services by training a non-specialist workforce that will serve as the first point of contact for the communities
Dr. Moeti, urged Member States to see the celebration of tbe World Hearing Day on 3 March yearly as an opportunity to raise awareness of deafness and hearing loss prevention, promote ear and hearing care.
This year’s theme for the celebration is “Ear and hearing care for all! Let’s make it a reality.” and should be used as a favourable day to reiterate the message on preventing and addressing common ear and hearing problems.
