Scheme to provide cochlear implants to kids yet to take off

It has been a long wait for children with hearing problems

It is a question of hearing for children who are awaiting their turn for several months now. Even as the state government had announced that a scheme would be started to provide free cochlear implants to children, it has failed to reach the beneficiaries.

The ‘Shravana Dosha Mukta’ scheme was launched by the then minister for health and family welfare U T Khader with funding from the National Health Mission (NHM). Under the scheme, children below the age of three were to be given cochlear implants free.

According to top sources in the department of health and family welfare, though the proposal has been cleared and funds released from the NHM, doctors who ought to be empanelled under the scheme are still awaiting orders. Under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram of NHM, Rs 5.2 lakh per child could be encashed for the surgery.

With no scheme at present, patients have to only resort to taking help from the prime minister and chief minister’s funds. However, with delay in release of funds from the Centre, children are only up for an endless wait according to sources. As per the proposal, the new project will begin with the screening of neonates and provide them hearing and speech therapy for at least one year.

A senior ENT specialist from Bengaluru explained that there are children awaiting implants for several months now and it would serve no purpose if the implementation is delayed.

“Cochlear implants work best on children if they are below the age of three. If there is a delay, the visual cortex will take over the child’s hearing ability. If the child is unable to hear clearly, this will also have an adverse affect on it’s speech and language learning abilities,” he added.

 He explained that there is a 70% sensory neural loss with the use of hearing aids instead of cochlear implants. “Doctors, with certain hidden motives do not suggest cochlear implants for patients. Parents cannot afford it most of the time either. Thus, the scheme is the need of the hour,” he added.

Dr Vimala Patil, director, Health and Family Welfare department said that the scheme would be launched soon at K C General Hospital and Wenlock Hospital. When Deccan Herald tried to get an update from Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ramesh Kumar, he was unavailable for a response.