Children and invalids with hearing deficiencies will receive free hearing equipment

The Government approved during the Wednesday session the Plan of actions regarding the assurance of persons with hearing deficiencies with hearing equipment for the years 2006- 2007. The minister of health Ion Ababii declared for the press that the Government took this kind of decision for the first time, and that the hearing equipment will be distributed on priority basis, for a period of two years, to children and invalids. A hearing equipment costs not less than 120-140 dollars. After the ratification of the state budget for the year 2006, the necessary sum for procuring these equipment will be set and an international tender organized. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection plans to procure digital hearing equipment. According to Ababii, in the developed countries, this kind of equipment is worn by 30-40% of the population, “ just as easily as glasses”, meaning that in the Republic of Moldova as well these problems shouldn’t be faced differently. The minister added that with these kind of equipment the children could easily go to school and successfully integrate in the society. Presently, 1880 children with hearing deficiencies are registered, a part of them are assured with hearing equipment from charity help, that need to be changed. According to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, presently it is necessarily to procure 4 thousand hearing equipments.