By Chioma Obinna
To mark this year’s World Hearing Day with the theme: “Changing Mindset: Let’s Make Ear and Hearing Care A Reality For All”, the Ear, Nose and Throat (E.N.T) / Head and Neck Clinic, Wilbon in Benin and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, Edo State offered free hearing tests and treatments, ranging from infections, wax impaction to foreign body removal to patients in Benin.
The medical outreach which was done separately have over 204 beneficiaries. While Wilbon treated 54 patients, the department in UBTH treated over 150 people.
The medical outreaches were designed by the Hospitals to give back to the Society while aligning with the World Health Organisation and Ear Specialists all over the world to celebrate the World Hearing Day, marked globally every 3rd of March.
AT the Wilbon hospital, several clinical activities carried out which were anchored by resident doctors in the Hospital. The Guest ENT Specialists from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Ogharra, Consultant ENT. Surgeons, Dr Eustace Oseghale and Dr Atuyota Uchefe spoke on Ear Care and Prevention of Hearing Loss.
One of the beneficiaries of a total of 54 patients who benefitted from the programme, Mrs Favour Chidi thanked the Hospital Management on behalf of the others, she commended the level of care and intervention especially as everything was given free of charge.
Also, the Medical Director of Wilbon ENT Clinic, a former Commissioner for Health and an E.N.T Surgeon, Dr Patrick Okundia, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the event, saying that the Hospital marks the event yearly as a way of thanking God for His abundant grace and also to give back to the Society.
At the UBTH Department of Ear, Nose, Throat, Head and Neck Surgery, the event marked at the St Albert Catholic Church and All Saints Chapel, both in the Ugbowo Campus of University of Benin, various form of intervention like ear syringing, foreign body removal and other ear care were carried out.
Also, congregations at both churches were educated about hearing loss prevention and treatment.
Over one hundred and fifty people had their ears checked. Participants also benefited from free hearing screening. Some of the beneficiaries were referred to University of Benin Teaching Hospital for further care.
Speaking, a Deputy Chairman Medical Advisory Committee University of Benin Teaching Hospital , Prof Amina Okhakhu who is also an ENT Surgeon assured of the ability of the Hospital to continually provide quality ear care and commended the Chief Medical Director Prof Darlington Obaseki.
The Head of Department Ear, Nose Throat, Head and Neck Surgery, UBTH, Prof Ngozi Onyeagwara who led the team cautioned on the need to safe guard hearing and prevent hearing loss.
Also present were Prof Adobamen , an ENT Surgeon, the Medical and Dental Consultant Association of Nigeria, Chairman, UBTH Chapter, Dr Ehigha Enabudoso Resident Doctors , Nurses and Audiologists.
The Local Organising Committee Chairman, Dr Eustace Oseghale appreciated , the Chief Medical Director UBTH, the Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, BSA, Phonics , Dr Okundia, Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Edo State, ENT UBTH Family, the Parish Priests ,Priests and congregations of St Albert and All Saints Chapel for the success of the event.
