Gift of sound: 10 children get cochlear implants

NAGPUR: Ten cochlear implants were performed on children by ENT surgeon Dr Milind Kirtane free of cost at Orange City Hospital and Research Institute (OCHRI) on Sunday. Till date, Dr Kirtane has performed 25 implants as part of OCHRI’s project Geeta, funded by Chief Minister’s Health Relief Fund and Tata Trusts.
Dr Kirtane lamented that in many cases, cochlear implants being done do not prove to be much effective due to lack of awareness among parents who bring their children late despite the fact that the government, various organizations and sponsors have been creating awareness and extending full support.“Even doctors across the country are not strict with neonatal hearing screening programme. We perform this screening only when the child is suspected for any kind of hearing defects,” he said.
OCHRI director Dr Anup Marar said, “10 more surgeries are scheduled for December.”
ENT surgeon Dr Nandu Kolwadkar, who is the convener of this programme said, “We have been approaching gynaecologists across the city to perform screening. Since last one year, we have made it sure at OCHRI that not a single newborn leaves the hospital without going through screening.”
“In government machinery, even suspected cases do not go through screening. The machine hardly costs 2 lakh. I encourage every gynaecologist and government hospitals to buy it on priority. The screening charges are just 300. ”
At present, cochlear implant costs 6 lakh. The central government is currently making efforts to lower it with the help of Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) which is developing a cheaper version of implants. On this, Kirtane said, “The government started this project some 10 years back. But due to delay, the project is yet to see light of the day.”