Early detection, maternal care can improve India’s hearing loss scenario

New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Bharati Pravin Pawar addressed the gathering on the occasion of International Week of Deaf People at Central Health Education Bureau, New Delhi. This was undertaken amongst the various activities planned by the Directorate General of Health Services during the week to generate awareness about the hardships faced by people with hearing loss.

Dr Bharati Pawar in her address noted that an estimated 9 crore people in India ar e suffering from various hearing disabilities. She added that early diagnosis and screening of infants for various ailments is mandatory to prevent the disability from worsening.

She asserted that it is important to take care of pregnant women by providing them all the nutrition and care to ensure that the child is born healthy. She also suggested preparing a pocket book with QR codes having information about early screening and diagnosis of children along with various helplines which can be referred by parents whenever they need help. This pocket book can be shared with ASHAs, Aanganwadi workers and hospital staff who can ensure that any budding disease in the body is treated as early as possible.

Since 1958, The International Week of the Deaf People (IWDP) has been celebrated annually in the last week of September to generate awareness around hearing impairment through various activities by communities and organisations all around the world.