Over 300 people with various hearing impairments on Friday received free specialized checkup at a medical camp organized by Machakos County government in conjunction with the Starkey Hearing Foundation.
The medical camp which attracted patients from various counties, including Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado and Laikipia witnessed dozens of people with hearing impairment acquire the specialized hearing aids.
Earlier, Governor Alfred Mutua and his wife Lilian played host to Starkey’s founder, William Austin and his wife Tani at his office before heading to the Kenyatta Stadium for the auspicious event.
While overseeing the exercise, Dr. Mutua thanked the American firm for their work and termed their good gesture to the county as a miracle of a lifetime for the patients who had flocked to the camp.
One of those who benefitted from the camp was seven year-old Fridah Kyalo Nduko who was deaf but started hearing immediately after she received the gadgets.
Her ability to hear was termed as a living marvel by the governor and the girl’s family members.
“Today, I have witnessed present day miracles. I participated in the fitting of hearing aids to 7 year old Fridah Nduku Kyalo, who until today was considered deaf. After she got hearing aids installed, she could hear. Her smile warmed all of us. It was a real miracle, as she swiveled her head around following sounds around her,” said an elated Dr. Mutua.
The governor said his administration was willing to create a budgetary allocation that would ensure sustainability of the partnership program to assist people with hearing impairment up to the village level.
By so doing, Dr. Mutua said, many underprivileged people would enjoy the benefit of leading quality lives.
His wife Lilian lauded members of the foundation and thanked them for their devotion to offer priceless services to the needy.
Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Austin said the camp was a great opportunity for the Foundation to change lives of needy people.
“This is a great opportunity to change many lives and also change the future of those with hearing disabilities,” he said.
Starky Foundation makes hearing aids for the American, European and Asian markets and has ventured into the African continent where it plans to issue free hearing aids to hundreds of hearing impaired persons who could not afford the expensive gadgets.
By Samuel Maina
