Zambart in collaboration with the Ministry of Health has launched the Community-Based Ear and Hearing Care Project this morning.
The four-year multi- country study aims to enhance access to essential ear and hearing health services at the community level and will be conducted in Ipongo, Chibombo and Katondo, Kabwe respectively.
The project seeks to generate evidence on using community-based models to identify and manage Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM), manage hearing loss, and support those with hearing impairment.
And speaking on behalf of Zambart’s Executive Director, Dr Muhammed Limbada said the initiative hopes to reduce stigma and improve health-seeking behavior.
“This event marks a significant milestone in addressing an often-overlooked area of health: ear and hearing care” he said.
And Ministry of Health, Central Province Provincial Health Director, Dr. Elijah Mutoloki, has commended Zambart for launching the Community-Based Ear and Hearing Care Project. He noted that the project aligns perfectly with the national strategy for Universal Health Coverage and is a bold step toward bridging the gap in access to essential ear and hearing services for rural and underserved populations.
“The ability to hear is not only about communication; it is about education, employment, dignity, and participation in society,” Dr. Mutoloki said. “The Ministry of Health is proud to support efforts to integrate ear and hearing care into the primary health care system, building local capacity and training community health workers. Thank you Zambart and your partners for the vision, scientific excellence, and commitment to equity”, he said.
The project is supporting two PhD’s based at Zambart and the University of Zambia and is being funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) UK.
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 136 million people in the Africa region live with hearing loss and 337 million are projected to have problems with their hearing (WHO, 2020). In Zambia, particularly in rural communities, many suffer from untreated ear diseases in silence and isolation.