10 Mar 2020

The Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe, says development of hearing screening and assessment guidelines in schools will commence in the 2020/2021 financial year.

Officially opening the World Hearing Day commemoration in Good Hope recently, Mr Lelatisitswe said government was committed to fighting deafness and hearing loss, hence paying special attention to school going children.

 “Remember, the future of this country lies in their hands and therefore special attention to strengthen their capacity must be ensured by all of us,” he said.
He noted that the Ministry of Health and Wellness had embarked on screening for hearing loss, commencing with the Good Hope District Health Management Team.

He said the current screening was for all Standard 7 pupils in the district.

Mr Lelatisitswe said the screening entailed identifying those with hearing loss, referrals and helping those who could benefit from hearing aids.

He also indicated that the initiative was part of the National Health Rehabilitation Policy (NHRP), which was at the final stages of development.

He said the NHRP had a specific component on the need to identify children with hearing impairment for early intervention.

On other issues, he indicated that since 2010, audiology clinics was established at Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone, Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital in Francistown, Sekgoma Memorial Hospital in Serowe, Letsholathebe Memorial Hospital in Maun and Ghanzi Primary Hospital to ensure timely and effective monitoring of ear care services.

Mr Lelatisitswe further said prevention of deafness and hearing loss among the people would be one of the ministry’s priorities in the coming years.

The assistant minister further advised different sectors to promote ear care as well as hearing health and also encouraged those affected by deafness to know that there was life after such challenge.

One of the people living with deafness disability, Ms Tshepiso Mohapi thanked government for having assisted her with a hearing aid.

She advised those not using hearing aids to do so, so that they could enjoy life and understand what was going on in their surroundings. ENDS