By Daniel Ayantoye
The Kwara State Government has assured beneficiaries of a US-based foundation, Starkey in collaboration with Olusegun Obasanjo foundation health programme in the state, of adequate follow-up mission.
The Non Governmental Organisation had last week embarked on free ear treatment and screening for hearing impaired persons in the state.
Speaking to Pilot Health during a telephone chat yesterday, the state Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Sulyman Atolagbe Alege, said the state government would ensure that the free hearing aids get to the beneficiaries as promised.
He said the screening has enabled the organisers to determine size of hearing aids so as to produce befitting device for the beneficiaries.
The screening, according to him will go a long way in alleviating the health condition of people in the state, stressing that the programme is in tandem with the health policy of the current administration under the leadership of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.
“You know Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation is headed by a former head of state, and the Starkey Foundation is an International Foundation, that won’t just do anything without positive impact.
“ And basically, the state government, will not just fold its arms; we are going to provide adequate follow- up and I want to point out that we have been working together as a team with the Olusegun Foundation for some time now.
“Everywhere around the world, hearing aid is not just something you go to the hospital and after treatment you are given. They will create a device for you that will be the size of your ear and that is why after screening, the foundation has promised the people that they are coming to give them the device by October.”
However, while reiterating the state government commitment towards the health of the people in the state, he noted that the recent commendation by the Minister of Health at a recent Federal Executive Council meeting, on the breakthrough in cholera outbreak is an evidence to the laudable effort of the state government in the sector.
The commissioner added that the state government is committed to eradicating the epidemic and other deadly disease in the state.
