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March 28, 2006
A gift of hearing for newborns
Hearing problems in newborns can now be detected in health centres across the country, thanks to the generosity of a local Rotary club. Eight devices that can detect hearing problems in newborns, each costing around BD10,000, were purchased by the Rotary Club of Adliya from funds raised at the club's Bahrain Golf Invitational (BGI) held in January.
The devices, known as Oto Acoustic Emission Tests (OAE), were presented by the club to Health Ministry Under-Secretary Dr Abdul-aziz Hamza at a special dinner ceremony held at the Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel last night.
More than 100 Rotarians, Health Ministry officials, sponsors, members of the Press and guests attended the dinner, where the club also presented awards and certificates to supporters of the project.
Club incoming president and BGI organising committee chairman Dr Yousef Mashal said the club decided to raise money for the devices because it was a sustainable project that would have a long-term benefit on society.
"We can prevent complete hearing loss by promoting these machines which detect hearing impairment in newborn children," Dr Mashal told the GDN. "In this way we will hopefully try to reduce the hundred per cent loss of hearing that can develop in children whose hearing problems weren't discovered early on.
"We can also educate the society as a whole that testing hearing is something mandatory around the world, that it's just like someone having an eye test.
"This needs to be thought of in the same way, it's very easy to do.
"We feel Bahrain deserves to have these machines and we are very pleased we have been able to do this.
"Appreciation and thanks goes to supporters of this cause, without them we couldn't have achieved our goal."
The OAEs will be used at main health centres in each of Bahrain's five governorates, as well as Jidhafs and Muharraq maternity hospitals and the Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) Neonatal Unit.
The device is a small probe inserted into the ear that sends out sounds and records the responses that come back from the cochlea (inner ear).
It can detect children with profound hearing loss, as well as those with only slight hearing impairment in just 10 seconds.
According to ministry figures, there are 1.1 profoundly deaf children born per every 1,000 live births, which is 13 new cases a year.
In addition, around 100 to 150 children per every 1,000 live births will have mild, or moderate hearing impairment, which is around 1,500 children a year.
Dr Mashal said the club would continue to support hearing impairment and raise awareness in the community.
To make a donation towards the hearing project contact Dr Mashal on 39604450.
By Rebecca Torr
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=139279&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=29008
Posted by 4HL on March 28, 2006 7:00 AM
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