Breakthrough:National Ear Centre Activates First Cochlear lmplant ln Kaduna

NEWSDAILYNIGERIA -The National Ear care Centre, Kaduna has recorded a major health breakthrough by carrying out a major ear surgery and subsequently activated its first Cochlear implant on a patient

.The Centre through a foreign partnership/collaboration with MED- EL international carried out this major feat on a six year old Bashir Dikko at the Centre with the support of local and foreign surgeons in Kaduna,on Tuesday.

This according to the centre is in pursuance of the need to ensure total restoration of lost hearing abilities amongst Nigerians,hence Cochlear implant to total restoration of lost hearing with speech rehabilitation on 5 Patients so far.Speaking to Newsmen shortly, after the switch on/ activation,the Medical Director National Ear Care Centre Kaduna, Dr Mustapha Abubakar Yaro noted that foreign surgeons had earlier trained the local surgeons to effectively and independently manage cochlear implantation and will continue to do so until complete take over of the process by local surgeons.

‘’As we sustain this program, we will also submit a report to the Federal Government and the National Assembly so that it could be captured under the health insurance program .’’Yaro added.

On effectiveness of the cochlear implant, the representative of Medel an Australian based Medical Electronics company partnering National Ear Care Centre led by Dr. Mohamed El Disouky who is the Development and Regional Manager for African said”though very expensive, the process is very safe and effective as the entire restoration process comes with four programs to increase loudness every week carefully to avoid stimulation”

He however stressed that the cost could reduce drastically,when more patients are involved.

Similarly,the National Ear Centre Hospital Coordinator of the program Dr. Mohammed Sani revealed that after patients get the cochlear implanted, they move to the Switch on or activation process and then the speech rehabilitation proper.

He maintained that, with this development,Nigerians may not have to travel overseas for total hearing restoration.

Responding, Alhaji Dikko Kabiru the Father of the 6years old patient,Rufai Kabir,who lost hearing from birth and had his implant done in December 2020 and now activated commended the centre and partners for a job well done,

While commending the process, he noted that the recovery process is gradual but however expressed satisfaction with a call on the Government to step in to enable more participation.