New Hearing Diagnosis and Rehabilitation Centre Established in Kanombe
On October 26, a significant milestone was achieved in Kanombe, Rwanda, as First Lady Jeannette Kagame and Morocco's Princess Lalla Asmaa inaugurated a state-of-the-art ear diagnosis and rehabilitation centre at the Rwanda Military Hospital. This establishment, known as the Centre de Diagnostic et de Réhabilitation Auditive, is dedicated to the crucial task of screening, diagnosing, and treating various hearing disorders affecting children and adults alike.
Since its commencement of operations, the centre has made an impressive impact, having treated approximately 50 children in its first week alone, while an additional 100 individuals have been fitted with hearing aids. This initiative follows a productive meeting between the First Lady and the Princess, where representatives from the Imbuto Foundation and the Lalla Asmaa Foundation convened to present their respective programs aimed at enhancing hearing health. During this meeting, a memorandum of understanding was signed to bolster cooperation in areas such as rehabilitation, education, and the inclusion of individuals who are deaf or have hearing impairments.
Collaborative Efforts to Enhance Hearing Health Care
The Lalla Asmaa Foundation has been instrumental in advancing the care and support for children experiencing hearing and speech impairments. According to information from Morocco's official government portal, the foundation has successfully provided cochlear implants to 368 children across 22 countries through its international initiative titled "Together: We Hear Each Other Better." This program aims to improve access to vital hearing health services on a global scale.
Despite these advancements, access to hearing care in Rwanda is still hindered by financial barriers and a limited number of specialists. Reports indicate that a single hearing aid can cost around $127 (approximately Rwf185,000), while a pair may reach up to $300. The current number of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) professionals in Rwanda stands at about 40, which includes those still undergoing training. To address these challenges, Rwanda has initiated the Winsiga Ndumva programme, launched in 2023, in collaboration with the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), UNICEF, and ATscale, aiming to expand access to essential hearing care services for those in need.
As reported by newtimes.co.rw.
