By Bukola Badmus, Abeokuta
No fewer than 2000 persons have been so far registered for the 2024 Free World Hearing Day exercise in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital at the weekend.
The Special Assistant on Media to the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
The exercise under the aegis of Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation was done to commemorate the 87th birthday anniversary of the Chief Promoter of the Foundation, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the year 2024 World Hearing Day, which took place on Sunday, worldwide.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Foundation, Dr. Olalekan Makinde appealed the government to prioritize the well being of her citizens particularly the hearing impaired people in Nigeria, following the high cost and accessibility of hearing aids.
He disclosed that the 2000 figure recorded so far in the first day of the exercise indicated that the government needed to as a matter of urgency come to rescue those in need of the hearing aids as the number of sufferers get higher every year.
Makinde noted that the hearing aids are not easily accessible and are very expensive, but the foundation in collaboration with her partners will be giving out no fewer than 2000 hearing aids to people free.
The Medical Doctor commended the former President for supporting the Foundatio in getting the required implements to achieve the exercise.
He added that the program apart from commemorating the World Hearing Day, will be continued in order to ensure that the 2000 target was meant by Tuesday.
On her part, the founder, Ear care Foundation for Africa/Asia, Aderinola Olopade urged policy makers to prioritize access for new born hearing screening programmes.
The World Hearing Day 2024 focuses on overcoming the challenges posed by societal misperceptions and stigmatizing mindsets through awareness-raising and information-sharing, targeted at the public and health care providers.
At the OOPL venue of the exercise, the old, young and toddlers were seen with their parents and guardians to assist them in the screening processes. It was also gathered that patients from neighbouring Lagos, Delta, Kwara and Osun States came for the exercise.
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