11th International Conference on
Otorhinolaryngology

Biography:

Abstract:

Background: The World Health Organization in 2018 estimated that 466 million people suffer from disabling hearing loss globally with 80% of them residing in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Unfortunately, most countries especially LMICs do not have any roadmap to tackle the scourge; a WHO multi-country assessment revealed only 42-member states have some form of national or sub-national plan for ear and hearing care in their countries. On the contrary WHO member states ratified the Agenda item 15.8 of 70th World Health Assembly in May 2017 with a resolution enjoining them to develop National Strategic Plans for Ear and Hearing care (NSPEHC) that is integrated into the primary healthcare system under the umbrella of the universal healthcare coverage. SHF has championed the cause to support many countries in developing NSPEHC to include: Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, the Gambia, Uganda, Tanzania and Malawi in sub-Saharan Africa, Jamaica and St Lucia in the Caribbean, El Salvador in central America and Armenia in Europe. Objective: To support low and middle-income countries in developing and implementing national plans to improve ear and hearing care, which aims to reduce the prevalence, incidence and impact of hearing loss on individuals, families and communities through public health approaches. Methodology We utilized the WHO ear and hearing care situation analysis tool and the manual for planning and monitoring national strategies as our guiding template. The national strategies were built upon the WHO six health systems building blocks as it relates to ear and hearing care. Summary of steps taken include: initial advocacy visits to the Honorable ministers of health’s team, setting up a technical working group, having 3 technical sessions each lasting 2 days on the average, a validation exercise through an expanded stakeholder’s forum, the document launches and dissemination, inauguration of implementation committee and commencement of implementation. Expected Outcome In the short term, the countries have completed the development of their national plans and are at different stages of implementation. In the long term, a reduction in incidence, prevalence and the negative impact of ear diseases and hearing loss in the countries implementing the national plans. Minimum Learning Objectives • How to advocate to governments on the need for National plans for ear and hearing care • The process of leading the development and implementation of a National plan in low and middle- income countries • Translating the plans into actions that will impact ear and hearing care of the common man in these countries.