An auditory screening service will be created at the Sangerei District Hospital to help with the early identification and prevention of hearing loss in children, thanks to a project implemented by the AudiViz NGO and funded by the European Union, IPN reports.
The hospital will be equipped with specialized equipment to test the hearing of newborns and children under 7. A team of health care professionals will be set up to travel to 12 health centers in the district to perform testing. A total of 1,200 children in the district will benefit from this service.
“Early detection of hearing impairments and appropriate intervention allows children to develop age-appropriate speech and language skills and begin formal education in the same classroom as their hearing peers. Consequently, the child will be able to hear, speak and communicate with family members, to participate in the life of society. In this way we will prevent the isolation and even placement of hearing-impaired children in residential institutions and increase their chances of employment when they become adults”, said Angela Moiseev, president of AudiViz, during the launch of the project.
“Thanks to the support provided to local civil society organizations, essential social services will be developed to significantly improve the quality of life of vulnerable people”, said Victoria Neaga, project manager at the European Union Delegation to Moldova.
Daniela Leahu, project manager at Soros Foundation Moldova, noted that AudiViz developed a similar early intervention social service in Bălți as well. The service is sustainable and is being offered by the Family Physicians Center. “The project team will provide all the necessary support for sub-grantee organizations to become pillars in creating inclusive and friendly communities for people from vulnerable groups”, said Daniela Leahu.
