By FLORENCE MWISA –
Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) are parts of the body that are prone to challenging childhood diseases that manifest in many different ways.
The four most common ENT problems are ear infections, strep throat, sinusitis and sleep apnea.
Mary Matelo of Kabwe district in Central Province was a first time mother when her daughter got affected with an ENT problem.
Mary recalls that the first sign she noticed was difficulties in breathing by her baby who was at the time only three years old.
The situation used to worsen at night.
She noted that the problem persisted for over eight years, with the child becoming severely affected in the cold season.
“I was living in Choma at the time. My daughter could hardly sleep at night and was diagnosed with a suspected nasal polip forcing health authorities in the area to refer me to the University Teaching Hospital,” she said.
Upon arrival at UTH, health personnel examined the child and told Ms Matelo that her daughter had swollen tonsils.
But the medical personnel wondered how the tonsils could not be detected at a local hospital.
Ms Matelo, who is now mother of five and is living in Kabwe, could not have been more happier when Government recently commissioned the ENT and Audilogy Clinic at the Kabwe Central Hospital (KCH).
She recalled how costly it can be for someone to move from where she lives to go to Lusaka to access specialized medical facilities.
KCH was chosen for the establishment of the ENT and Audiology Clinic to be supported by Beitcure hospital.
Beitcure is a charitable organisation that provides specialised care through the provision of ENT, audiology and surgery to vulnerable children who cannot afford such services.
Speaking during the commissioning of the ENT and Audiology Clinic at KCH, Beitcure Executive Director Frida Kabaso said despite the country being under considerable pressure to reduce ENT diseases, it has a limitation in providing such services.
Ms Kabaso said while the Government is committed to addressing such health issues, it is also challenged by lack of specialized skills as the entire country only has four specialized surgeons in ENT.
She cited lack of equipment as another challenge to providing quality service to ENT and hence the reason Beitcure felt the need to help KCH in that regard.
Ms Kabaso said Beitcure Hospital has been working with KCH for four years.
She outlined some of the achievements made so far, that include helping to train surgeons as well as 121 nurses, 10 clinicians and community health workers who have since been integrated in communities.
Beitcure Hospital is not alone in realizing the dream of establishing the KCH as an ENT and audiology clinic.
Working hand in hand with Christian Blind Mission, a light has shone on the ENT and Audiology Clinic at KCH.
Christian Blind Mission is a Christian organization committed to improving lives of people with disabilities so that they can realise their full potential in life.
The church has placed its emphasis on local capacity development especially on hearing care.
Christian Blind Mission Country Director Linda Kasonka was represented by the project officer Slinganiso Homela at the official launch.
Dr Kasonka said it is important to develop a comprehensive care for ear and hearing so that it could be fused into the health care system.
KCH Acting Senior Medical Superintendent Alexander Kawimbe said ENT cases are a public health concern.
He said the hospital deals with over 1,600 cases annually that are ENT related and over 800 cases every year that have to do with hearing impairments.
Dr Kawimbe said the commissioning of the ENT and Audiology Centre at the hospital, which specifically deals with hearing impairment, is a milestone.
He commended the donors for putting up the clinic at the hospital as this will enable staff to serve the people more efficiently and professionally.
Central Province Health Director Kennedy Kabuswe urged people to avoid loud places as this could affect their hearing.
He also advised people to undertake routine ear screening in order to detect hearing problems early in order to avoid hearing loss.
Despite the commissioning of the ENT and Audiology Clinic, there is still a challenge of specialized manpower to deal with this public health concern.
Central Permanent Secretary Milner Mwanakampwe is aware of the situation and assured that Government is doing everything possible to bring in specialists to run the unit.
“The clinic being commissioned today may not have a specialist but as government, we are doing everything possible to bring specialists to run this wing as a matter of urgency,’’ Mr Mwanakampwe said.
He said hearing impairment is a matter of concern.
He quoted a World Health Organisation (WHO) study that says about six per cent of the population across the world suffers from hearing impairment with one million affected people being children.
He said the Government’s resolve to recruit 11,200 health workers in Zambia is meant to increase, among other things, staffing levels to improve the nurse-patient ratio.
Mr Mwanakampwe said the equipment that was installed in the ENT and Audiology Clinic belonged to communities.
He urged medical personnel to ensure that they provide the intended care to the beneficiaries.
But the permanent secretary regretted that lack of awareness remained a great challenge to the general public on hearing loss, including how it occurs and when to seek medical intervention.
Mr Mwanakampwe said to address the lack of awareness in communities, over 200 community based volunteers were trained.
He said the delivery of healthcare is a huge task that cannot be achieved by the Government alone.
He paid glowing tribute to the Scottish and German governments, the Christian Blind Mission and Beitcure Hospital for providing financial resources that have enabled KCH to have the first ever ENT and Audiology Clinic that will take services closer to the people of Kabwe and surrounding areas.
With a population of 202, 914 as of the 2010 census, the people of Kabwe greatly stand to benefit from this facility that has been brought closer to their doorsteps.
It will also cut down on costs as people will no longer have to travel longer distances to access ENT services of course with the possibility of having a specialist stationed at the clinic.
It can only be hoped that community health workers who have been trained by Beitcure will do their part of sensitizing communities on the availability of an ENT and Audiology centre at KCH.
For it is important that awareness is raised in the communities on when to seek medical attention once affected by ENT problems.– ZANIS.