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Children with hearing impairment are set to benefit as KUTRRH launched a center for specialized ear and hearing care.
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According Aden Duale, the facility will benefit millions of Kenyans experiencing hearing challenges, by improving access to comprehensive ear, nose and throat (ENT) services and reducing the need for patients to seek specialized care outside the country.
Children with hearing impairment are set to benefit as Kenyatta Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) launched a center for specialized ear and hearing care.
The hospital has been designated a centre of excellence in specialized ear and hearing care, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to expand access to quality hearing health services under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program.
While launching the facility, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the facility will benefit millions of Kenyans experiencing hearing challenges, by improving access to comprehensive ear, nose and throat (ENT) services and reducing the need for patients to seek specialized care outside the country.
As part of the expanded support under the Social Health Authority (SHA), he observed; individual patients requiring basic ENT procedures will receive coverage of up to Ksh 40,000 while those undergoing complex multidisciplinary surgeries will be eligible for benefits of up to Ksh 800,000.
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“The new designation is expected to enhance the country’s capacity to provide specialized diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for people living with hearing impairments while strengthening early detection and intervention services,” Duale observed.
He revealed that KUTRRH has screened more than 900 children for hearing conditions, including 80 newborns since January this year, reinforcing efforts to promote early diagnosis and timely treatment in line with international best practices.
“It has been established that early screening is critical in identifying hearing loss during infancy and childhood, allowing prompt intervention that supports speech, language, and cognitive development,” the CS emphasized.
Duale also maintained that his ministry is working to broaden the SHA benefits package by incorporating additional audiology and rehabilitation services to improve long-term care for patients with hearing disorders.
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He emphasized that the designation of KUTRRH as a Centre of Excellence is expected to strengthen specialized ear and hearing care nationwide through enhanced partnerships, improved service delivery and expanded access to timely diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation, further supporting the government’s broader goal of achieving the UHC goal.
The hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Zeinab Gura said the enhanced ear and hearing services align with the hospital’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare and advancing inclusive health services for all Kenyans.
“We have just witnessed the official handover of the hearing aid equipment donated by Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and we have come from a moving walkabout at our ENT Clinic where we saw these devices being fitted onto needy children,
“These actions are a testament to what we can achieve together. KUTRRH has built one of Kenya’s few comprehensive pediatric hearing rehabilitation programs,” the CEO added.
Through the school screening program in partnership with CHAI and the Ministry of Education, she noted, hearing aids have been provided to 95 school-going children, transforming their ability to learn, speak and participate in society.
By John Kamau
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