The National Hearing Awareness campaign under the theme ‘Ear and Hearing Care for All was held on Wednesday at Panchayat Bhawan, Imphal East DC complex.
Speaking on the occasion, Imphal East deputy commissioner Diana Khumanthem stated that hearing loss can happen to anyone at any point in life. There are numerous factors which lead to such problems, she added.
As such, Diana exhorted the people to get immediate medical attention if they face any problem with their hearing. She also emphasised the importance of taking precautionary measures in mitigating medical illnesses especially among young children.
The deputy commissioner pointed out that students participating in the programme should pay close attention to such awareness campaigns so that they can become change agents in the society. Such important programmes can help in bringing about impacting changes in people’s outlook in the society, he added.
Meanwhile, JNIMS head of Otorhinolaryngology Department Dr Potsangbam Dhakeshwor highlighted that 6 out 100 people in India suffer from hearing loss. He stated that the majority of the people in Manipur opt for medical treatment after they suffer from severe hearing loss.
Dr Dhakeshwor maintained that such behaviour should be discouraged and avoided. He further highlighted that the medical procedure for Cochlear Implant is provided free of cost at JNIMS. The expense for the procedure is paid by the government, he added.
Imphal East chief medical officer Dr Lourembam Indrani, Headmistress of Government Deaf and Mute School Nongmaithem Kalpana among others were present at the programme.
The campaign was organised by the District Health Society, National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness (NPPCD), Imphal East,
During the programme, essay competition and painting competition category was also organised in two categories in which as many as 100 students took part.