About 135m Africans Have Ear, Hearing Problems – WHO

0
611

By; AMOS TAUNA, Kaduna

The World Health Organisation (WHO),  has said that about 135 million people in Africa have ear and hearing problems.

Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, in a statement to mark this year’s World Hearing Day, said, “At the current rate, it is likely that by 2050 there could be over 338 million people affected by ear and hearing issues in Africa.”

With the theme of this year’s commemoration, “Ear and hearing care for all! Let’s make it a reality”, saying that inequalities disproportionately impacting marginalized populations as the burden of ear and hearing problems reflected significantly.

According to her, nearly 80 per cent living in low-and middle-income countries with over 1.5 billion people live with ear problems and hearing loss.

She lamented that the problems of ear and hearing have greatly impacts on the lives of those affected, their families, and their communities, alleging that they not know how and where to find help or do not have access to the needed services.

She observed that there was the need for  governments to prioritise ear and hearing care health programmes as part of their non-communicable diseases and universal health care agendas and increase their campaign, political and financial commitment with a view to curbing the problems associated with the disease.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here