World Hearing Day is an annual event held on March 3rd to promote awareness of ways to prevent deafness and hearing loss, and to encourage ear and hearing care around the world. In her message, Moeti stated that the burden of ear and hearing problems is a reflection of significant inequalities that disproportionately impact marginalised populations across the globe.
Moeti explained that in Africa, an estimated 135 million people are battling ear and hearing problems as medical conditions, with the number increasing daily. She predicted that if this rate continues, about 338 million people would be affected by visual and hearing problems by 2050 in Africa.
The WHO regional director emphasised that the day was an opportunity to promote preventive measures and raise awareness about ear and hearing care worldwide. She said it was a day to reiterate the message of preventing and addressing common ear and hearing problems as nearly $30 billion was lost due to the collective failure to address the problem in Africa.
Moeti noted that more than 60 per cent of common ear diseases and hearing loss can be detected and managed at the primary level of medical care. She acknowledged recent efforts made by relevant bodies towards addressing hearing and visual problems, such as the ongoing support to Kenya to establish a centre of excellence for eye health clinics and oral health.
Countries such as Kenya, Malawi, and Guinea have launched and started implementing national ear and hearing care strategies. There is also a regional analysis of ear and hearing care, including country profiles for all member states.
To further support ear and hearing care, WHO developed two modules on the ear and hearing care management for primary health care workers, which will be integrated into the WHO PEN packages. Moeti also called on governments to prioritise ear and hearing care health programmes as part of their universal healthcare agenda and increase their political and financial commitment.
She emphasised that many people with hearing loss do not know how and where to find help or do not have access to the needed services, and it greatly impacts their lives, families, and communities. WHO recently launched a primary ear and hearing care training manual that intends to inform doctors, nurses, and other health workers to achieve universal coverage.