Patna DM Meets Children Before Cochlear Implant Surgeries in Kanpur

Patna District Magistrate Meets Children Ahead of Cochlear Implant Surgeries in Kanpur

In a significant development for child healthcare in Bihar, Patna District Magistrate Thiyagarajan S M on Tuesday personally met with 17 young children before they departed for cochlear implant surgeries in Kanpur. The children, all aged six years or under, were identified as OAE positive during comprehensive screenings conducted under the district's Shravan Shruti programme.

Extensive Screening Efforts Yield Critical Data

District Magistrate Thiyagarajan revealed that the administration has conducted extensive screenings of 1,18,000 children across Patna district, resulting in the identification of 246 confirmed cases of hearing impairment. From these cases, medical reports have qualified 89 children for cochlear implant procedures, with 59 children having already successfully undergone the surgery and currently receiving essential speech therapy to support their recovery.

Ambitious Targets for Hearing Restoration

The district administration has established an ambitious target of facilitating cochlear implant surgeries for 500 children within the next six months. Officials have received clear directives to prioritize the identification and treatment of hearing loss among children below three years of age, recognizing that early intervention is crucial for optimal recovery of speech and hearing abilities.

During the meeting, the District Magistrate emphasized that effective implementation of the Shravan Shruti programme requires seamless coordination among multiple government departments. This includes the health department, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Jeevika, social welfare department, and education department working in concert to address this critical healthcare challenge.

Comprehensive Implementation Strategy

Medical officers, block health managers, and Asha workers have received specific instructions to work in close coordination on both screening initiatives and rehabilitation measures. This comprehensive approach aims to systematically address hearing loss cases across the entire district, ensuring no child falls through the gaps in the healthcare system.

Statistics presented during the meeting revealed a sobering reality: between 5 and 8 children per 1,000 are born with hearing impairments in India. These figures underscore the urgent need to strengthen institutional capacity for neonatal screening programs as well as post-operative therapy and rehabilitation support systems nationwide.