Permanent Secretary for Health Doctor James Fong has confirmed hearing impairment affects 80,000 Fijians at some point in their life.
Dr. Fong says this represents the heavy medical burden for individuals, families and the community and most of these cases can be prevented through awareness, identification and early intervention.
He has highlighted this during the World Hearing Day Symposium on Ear and Hearing Care which is underway at Holiday Inn in Suva.
He says this symposium brings together critical stakeholders who can collaborate to foster a holistic approach for dealing with issues relating to deafness and the prevention of hearing loss.
Dr. Fong says he also understands that the scope of ear and hearing care extends beyond health services and into education, communication and other support networks that assist persons with a hearing loss, their families and communities.
Dr. Fong further says the Ministry hopes to establish a long term sustainable plan for the provision of high standard of ear and hearing care services for all Fijians across their lifespan.
Dr. Fong adds the multi-sectoral collaboration will ensure that the plans and strategies they put in place will ultimately lead to the prevention of hearing loss and the provision of appropriate support for those with hearing loss thereby minimising the impact on the affected individual’s health, social and economic well being.
