Audiology screening available for all in Cuyuni-Mazaruni
DPI, Guyana, Friday, July 13, 2018
The Bartica Regional Hospital and the Kamarang District Hospital in Cuyuni-Mazaruni are offering audiology services to persons of all ages. These two hospitals area are equipped with the requisite personnel who conduct hearing tests for adults and children, neonatal screening, school screening exercises and outreaches on a regular basis
More specifically, the Bartica Regional Hospital has the following services available: Prescribing, dispensing, servicing and repairing of hearing aids, ear impressions, ear moulds, swim moulds and follow-ups with hearing aid users.
According to the Region Seven Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Edward Sagala, the team in Bartica and Kamarang are seeking to promote primary health care by creating and implementing suitable “hearing-care” plans and programmes. The RHO was at the time giving an overview of the health sector in his region at a recently concluded Regional Health Officers meeting held at Lake Mainstay.
By extension, Dr. Sagala explained this service will “improve the quality of life of hearing impaired persons through enhancing hearing functions and communication so as to enable them to maintain the highest level of their ability within their personal life.”
Also, Dr. Sagala pointed out that the audiology services will ensure that persons diagnosed with hearing loss do not become isolated but develop the ability to partake effectively in everyday activities. Persons from various sectors within the region will also be engaged to strengthen audiology services.
Cuyuni-Mazaruni joins with eight other regions countrywide providing audiology services. Potaro-Siparuni, Region Eight is the only region without this service. However, Head of the National Audiology Unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital, Dr. Ruth Quaicoe said this region will join the corps in 2019.
She explained that the Ministry of Public Health intends to commence the training of personnel in the region to establish audiology services at the regional hospital. Additionally, the requisite tools and equipment will be provided to have the unit in up and running in Potaro-Siparuni.
By: Delicia Haynes