The Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), the United Nations children’s agency (UNICEF) and ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology on Wednesday, December 6, launched a project meant to promote primary health care for children and adolescents with ear and hearing disabilities.
Launched in Huye District, the three-year inclusive programme called Winsiga Ndumva (loosely translated as "Don’t leave me behind, I can hear”), seeks to provide screening services reach more than 9,400 new-borns and children aged up to 18 in eight Rwandan districts.
Up to 1,200 with hearing impairment will be provided with digital hearing aids. One hearing devices is valued at around Rwf1 million.
They will be identified from their community, health facilities, schools, and parents or caregivers in Nyagatare, Nyarugenge, Huye, Nyabihu, Musanze, Rwamagana, Rusizi, and Muhanga.
Family members of the children and their teachers from special schools for children with hearing impairment are secondary beneficiaries as they support children’s learning, provide day-to-day guidance, and supervise gadgets.
"Today marks a significant step forward in our collective commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive,” said Julianna Lindsey, UNICEF Representative in Rwanda.
The launch of the ear and hearing care programme is "a testament to the power of partnerships in transforming the lives of children and adolescents with disabilities,” Lindsey said.
"We are thrilled to support the specific needs of children and adolescents with hearing impairments by providing digital assistive technology, which opens doors to communication, education, and a brighter future.
"UNICEF is proud to stand alongside our valued partners, the Government of Rwanda, AT-Scale, the organizations of persons with disabilities, and the communities in this endeavour.”
Lindsey said the partnership seeks "to create a more inclusive society where every child's dream to flourish is realised.”
Hearing devices could be added under insurance
Dr Francois Uwinkindi, Manager of Non-Communication Diseases Division at the RBC said that Winsiga Ndumva was a timely programme as it was launched as a continuation this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilit, whose theme is "United in action to rescue and achieve the sustainable development goals for, with and by persons with disabilities.”
"Let us commit to building a society where persons with disabilities, especially young and adolescents, are not just included, but are also truly valued and empowered. Let us create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to the betterment of society,” Dr Uwinkindi said.
He said programme comes at a time when the Ministry of Health is advanced negotiations with the Rwanda Social Security Board to include the hearing devices under community-based health insurance Mutuelle de Sante for more people to afford them.
He said the programme would also support local production of the hearing aids.
Francoise Uwitonze, one of the parents of the children who were screened on Wednesday, said the getting support would improve her child’s health.
"I am very happy that my four-year-old son got screened for the first time. If he got a hearing device that would be a significant improvement of his life,” said Uwitonze, a resident of Huye District.
UNICEF, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health/RBC and in partnership with Umbrella of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (UPHLS), has supported the pre-screening, screening, and assessment of children with hearing impairment and fitting of hearing aids in four pilot districts of Nyagatare, Nyarugenge, Huye, and Nyabihu.
During this period, 118 staff, including national champions, teachers, and healthcare providers from hospitals and health centers, were trained to manage children with hearing impairments. As a result, 984 children were assessed, 154 children were treated, and 393 children were fitted with digital hearing aids.