{"id":60205,"date":"2023-12-08T15:33:42","date_gmt":"2023-12-08T15:33:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/rbc-unicef-launch-programme-for-children-with-ear-hearing-disabilities"},"modified":"2023-12-08T16:19:14","modified_gmt":"2023-12-08T16:19:14","slug":"rbc-unicef-launch-programme-for-children-with-ear-hearing-disabilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/photo\/rbc-unicef-launch-programme-for-children-with-ear-hearing-disabilities","title":{"rendered":"RBC, UNICEF launch programme for children with ear, hearing disabilities"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>The Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), the United Nations children\u2019s agency (UNICEF) and ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology on Wednesday, December 6, launched a project meant to promote primary health care for children and adolescents with ear and hearing disabilities.<\/p>\n

Launched in Huye District, the three-year inclusive programme called Winsiga Ndumva (loosely translated as \u201cDon\u2019t leave me behind, I can hear\u201d), seeks to provide screening services reach more than 9,400 new-borns and children aged up to 18 in eight Rwandan districts.<\/p>\n

Up to 1,200 with hearing impairment will be provided with digital hearing aids. One hearing devices is valued at around Rwf1 million.<\/p>\n

They will be identified from their community, health facilities, schools, and parents or caregivers in Nyagatare, Nyarugenge, Huye, Nyabihu, Musanze, Rwamagana, Rusizi, and Muhanga.<\/p>\n

Family members of the children and their teachers from special schools for children with hearing impairment are secondary beneficiaries as they support children\u2019s learning, provide day-to-day guidance, and supervise gadgets.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday marks a significant step forward in our collective commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive,\u201d said Julianna Lindsey, UNICEF Representative in Rwanda.<\/p>\n

The launch of the ear and hearing care programme is \u201ca testament to the power of partnerships in transforming the lives of children and adolescents with disabilities,\u201d Lindsey said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are thrilled to support the specific needs of children and adolescents with hearing impairments by providing digital assistive technology, which opens doors to communication, education, and a brighter future.<\/p>\n

\u201cUNICEF is proud to stand alongside our valued partners, the Government of Rwanda, AT-Scale, the organizations of persons with disabilities, and the communities in this endeavour.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lindsey said the partnership seeks \u201cto create a more inclusive society where every child’s dream to flourish is realised.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hearing devices could be added under insurance<\/p>\n

Dr Francois Uwinkindi, Manager of Non-Communication Diseases Division at the RBC said that Winsiga Ndumva was a timely programme as it was launched as a continuation this year\u2019s International Day of Persons with Disabilit, whose theme is \u201cUnited in action to rescue and achieve the sustainable development goals for, with and by persons with disabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet us commit to building a society where persons with disabilities, especially young and adolescents, are not just included, but are also truly valued and empowered. Let us create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to the betterment of society,\u201d Dr Uwinkindi said.<\/p>\n

He said programme comes at a time when the Ministry of Health is advanced negotiations with the Rwanda Social Security Board to include the hearing devices under community-based health insurance Mutuelle de Sante for more people to afford them.<\/p>\n

He said the programme would also support local production of the hearing aids.<\/p>\n

Francoise Uwitonze, one of the parents of the children who were screened on Wednesday, said the getting support would improve her child\u2019s health.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am very happy that my four-year-old son got screened for the first time. If he got a hearing device that would be a significant improvement of his life,\u201d said Uwitonze, a resident of Huye District.<\/p>\n

UNICEF, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health\/RBC and in partnership with Umbrella of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (UPHLS), has supported the pre-screening, screening, and assessment of children with hearing impairment and fitting of hearing aids in four pilot districts of Nyagatare, Nyarugenge, Huye, and Nyabihu.<\/p>\n

During this period, 118 staff, including national champions, teachers, and healthcare providers from hospitals and health centers, were trained to manage children with hearing impairments. As a result, 984 children were assessed, 154 children were treated, and 393 children were fitted with digital hearing aids.<\/p>\n

Francoise Uwitonze, one of the parents of the children who were screened on Wednesday in Huye.<\/p>\n\r\n