A collaborative effort bringing together international expertise and local commitment has offered renewed hope for children with hearing loss this week.
The Nandi County Department of Health and Sanitation played host to the Global Foundation For Children With Hearing Loss (GFCHL) and the Children’s Speech and Hearing Loss Organization (CHISLO) for a significant outreach event at the Kapsabet County Referral Hospital.
The initiative focused on addressing critical hearing needs for young children across the region.
Four visiting specialist audiologists from GFCHL and CHISLO conducted comprehensive assessments for six children carefully selected from Nandi, Turkana, Uasin Gishu, Bungoma, and Kisumu counties.
Following thorough evaluations, these children were identified as ideal candidates and are now set to be fitted with advanced hearing aids, a step poised to dramatically improve their communication, learning, and social development.
“This partnership signifies our unwavering commitment to ensuring no child in our region is left behind due to hearing impairment,” stated Dr. Angeline Kirui, County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Health and Sanitation, who was present to oversee the activity.
“Providing access to hearing aids and the necessary support services unlocks a world of potential for these children and their families.”
Kapsabet County Referral Hospital audiology unit staff trained
The direct child assessments were preceded by a vital capacity-building component. The visiting specialists conducted a dedicated training session for the audiology unit staff at Kapsabet County Referral Hospital.
This knowledge transfer aimed to enhance the local team’s skills in pediatric hearing assessment, hearing aid fitting, and ongoing management, strengthening the hospital’s ability to serve children with hearing loss long after the visiting team departs.
Steve Kittur, representing CHISLO at the event, emphasized the importance of such collaborations.
“Bringing specialized skills to counties like Nandi and reaching children from diverse backgrounds, including neighboring counties like Turkana and Kisumu, is crucial. Equipping local teams ensures sustainability. These six children represent a start, demonstrating the tangible impact we can achieve together,” he said.
The event highlights Nandi County’s proactive approach to improving specialized healthcare services, particularly for vulnerable populations like children with disabilities.
By leveraging partnerships with international foundations (GFCHL) and national organizations (CHISLO), the County Department of Health and Sanitation is working to bridge gaps in audiological care.
The fitting of hearing aids for these six children marks not just a medical intervention, but the opening of doors to education, social inclusion, and a brighter future.
It also enhanced skills of the Kapsabet Hospital audiology staff promise continued support for these children and many more in the region.
