Indore: This new machine can detect hearing defects in newborns

INDORE: PC Sethi Hospital will soon have equipment that can diagnose the hearing impairment in children soon after they are born. The hospital is first government hospital in state to get such a machine. With early diagnosis, children will be able to get operated at right time making treatment easier.

This is a pilot project that will be conducted at PC Sethi hospital. If it is successful, health department has planned to install such machines in all government hospitals of district. According to project nodal officer Dr Zafar Pathan, the machine is being installed on world hearing week, which is being celebrated in the district. All the children born in PC Sethi hospital will undergo the diagnosis as it has been made compulsory.

Officials claimed that each diagnosis costs around Rs 400, due to which all other hospitals and medical service providers try to avoid it.

Dr Pathan said, “Usually brain gets developed by the age of 3. In India, parents are unable to identify disability till that age, due to which even if the child is operated later, he is unable to speak properly his whole life.” CMHO Dr Pravin Jadia said, “This machine would help us identify deaf children soon after they are born. The machine worth Rs 6 lakh has been purchased and the work for its set-up worth Rs 25 lakh has been initiated and will be completed within few days.”

Officials have decided to start training program for students of private and government nursing colleges so that nurses can conduct neonatal screening test in rural areas to improve medical services there.