Persons with hearing impairments in Nakuru County will have another lease of health following the County Government’s plan to establish a centre for restoring speech and hearing in collaboration with a Standford Institute.
Governor Susan Kihika announced that the collaboration with the Baker Institute for Children with Hearing Loss will include a cochlear implant that restores speech and hearing, especially in children, beginning in September this year.
“The programme is going to make a difference in the lives of children, and I am a big believer in this project that will be based at the Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital, NTRH,” noted Kihika.
A cochlear implant, which also serves as a speech processor, is an electronic device that helps to provide a sense of sound to a person who can hardly hear. The implant can be performed on people up to 70 years of age, with children as young as 12 months able to be operated on, according to the Nairobi ENT clinic.
Kihika noted that the county was strategically placed to serve its citizens and those from neighbouring counties, assuring her support to ensure the programme succeeded.
“As the first public hospital away from Kenyatta National Hospital, we will also provide services to neighbouring countries. It is not only great for Nakuru County but for neighbouring counties,” added Kihika.
Ms. Jennifer Jordan McCall, the President of the Baker Institute, based at Stanford University, noted that a team was already set to roll out the programme to restore hearing in children and adults at Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Ms. McCall, who is also the founder of the Hear Kenya Project, noted that the programme will be offered as one of the specialised services being offered at NTRH.
By Anne Sabuni
