Life of Lagos State governor Mrs Bolanle Ambode yesterday said modern hospital equipment would help reduce the member of those with hearing defect.
She spoke yesterday at the opening of the upgraded Ear Nose and Throat (E.N.T) Department of the General Hospital at Odan, Lagos Island.
Women with goitre underwent tree surgery on the occassion.
The hospital was upgraded by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), which she chairs.
Mrs Ambode said the upgrade was borne out of the need for critical intervention to reduce the member of people suffering hearing loss.
She said the new equipment in the hospital could detect hearing impairments in adults, children and newborns.
According to her, communication plays an important role in the society as hearing and understanding are central to social life.
Mrs Ambode noted that people with hearing difficulties had the tendency to be isolated and were more likely to suffer depression.
“Using hearing aid presents a number of advantages for a hearing-impaired person and these include improved oral expression.
“With a modern hearing aid, they not only understand others better, but others can understand them better too.
“Studies also show that hearing aids generally improve the quality of life and help affected persons get better relationship with family.
“They feel better about themselves; get better mental health; and concentrate better at school. It also helps them feel more independent and secure.
“Our aim in this regard is to ensure that hearing defect does not constitute a limitation to children of school age, as well as adults,” Ambode said.
On the free goitre surgery, Mrs Ambode said COWLSO had noted with deep concern the weekly diagnosis of women with the disease, majority of which required surgery.
She said the decision to sponsor surgeries was informed by the high cost involved.
In all, she said about 30 women were selected for surgeries, while another 30 women were given modern hearing aids.
Mrs Ambode called for the adoption of preventive measures that would reduce prevalence of goitre, especially with the use of iodized salt in cooking.
Earlier, the Chairman of the State’s Health Service Commission, Dr Adebayo Aderiye, commended Mrs Ambode for the initiative.
He said the new E.N.T equipment had been subjected to rigorous test and were working perfectly.
One of the beneficiaries of the free surgery, Mrs Omowunmi Aina, thanked Ambode’s wife and COWLSO members for helping her to overcome the suffering of over 10 years.