In a significant push towards inclusive healthcare, Patna's District Magistrate Thiyagarajan S M has set an ambitious target to transform the lives of hundreds of hearing-impaired children. On Friday, he announced a mission to perform cochlear implant surgeries for 500 children within the first six months of 2026, declaring the goal of making Patna a deafness-free district.
The 'Shravan Shruti' Programme: A Holistic Approach
This major initiative falls under the comprehensive "Shravan Shruti" programme. The programme's core objective is to provide a complete support system for children under the age of six, focusing on three critical pillars: early identification, free surgical treatment, and comprehensive rehabilitation. Officials stress that early intervention is paramount, as children treated at a younger age demonstrate vastly superior outcomes in developing normal speech and language abilities.
To ensure no child slips through the cracks, the administration has issued strict directives. The civil surgeon has been ordered to make newborn hearing screening mandatory for every institutional delivery. Additionally, health workers have been instructed to perform behavioural tests during routine immunisation sessions to identify symptoms in children who may have been missed earlier.
Mobilising the Administration for Success
The scale of the mission requires a coordinated effort across multiple government departments. The administration plans to mobilise teams from education, panchayati raj, and social welfare departments to conduct extensive door-to-door visits. This grassroots approach aims to ensure that every eligible child in the district is identified and brought into the care programme.
Data presented at a recent training workshop highlighted the programme's existing momentum. It was revealed that between July and November 2025, the district screened an impressive 66,434 children. This widespread screening effort directly led to the successful cochlear implant surgery of 32 children, demonstrating the tangible impact of systematic identification.
Training and Long-Term Rehabilitation
The workshop also served as a platform for crucial technical training. Health professionals received instruction on identifying early warning signs of hearing impairment in infants and young children. A significant emphasis was placed on the importance of post-operative speech therapy and rehabilitation, which are essential for the implants to achieve their full potential and allow children to integrate into mainstream communication.
District Magistrate Thiyagarajan S M's announcement marks a decisive step in public health for Bihar. By setting a clear, numerical target and backing it with a multi-departmental action plan, the "Shravan Shruti" programme aims to create a model for eradicating preventable deafness, offering hundreds of children the life-changing gift of sound.
