UNICEF Provided New Equipment to Improve Early Detection of Hearing Problems in Infants and Children

BISHKEK, September 22, 2023 - UNICEF Kyrgyzstan has provided equipment for the early screening of hearing problems in newborns and children to 22 family medicine centres and maternity hospitals across the country. The equipment allows medical staff to identify hearing impairment in newborns from their first day of life. Additionally, Osh Inter-Regional Children's Hospital is now the first hospital in southern Kyrgyzstan to be equipped with the latest technology to diagnose and verify hearing problems in children. The total cost of the equipment is 8.6 million Kyrgyzstani som (over $99,000).

Medical facilities in Bishkek, Osh, Jalal-Abad, Nookat, Suzak, Cholpon-Ata, and Kara-Kol have received 22 audio screening devices that enable quick preliminary diagnosis of hearing difficulties. The National Centre for Maternity and Children's Health and the Children's Hospital in Osh have received diagnostic equipment that allows medical staff to provide comprehensive diagnosis.

“For the first time, parents in the south of our country can come to Osh, instead of going all the way to Bishkek to identify hearing issues in their children. Big thanks to the National Center of Mother and Child health for their capacity building and leadership,” says Jyrgalbek Tolorov, head of the Osh Oblast Children's Hospital.

More than 150 doctors in relevant medical facilities have completed training courses to ensure that the equipment is used correctly and effectively. Even family doctors and family nurses are able to identify the risks of hearing issues in children early.

“Since I started working with this equipment six months ago, we have already received 42 children whose diagnosis was verified, and treatment was prescribed. Two cases of absence of hearing in newborns was verified as well. This helped the parents to take appropriate actions very early,” says Taalaigul Kalmataeva, audiologist at Osh Children's Hospital.

UNICEF continues to work with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic to promote early detection of health problems in children so that they can be prevented or treated promptly.