For children in rural Maharashtra, hearing impairments
pose significant challenges to education, communication, and integration into
society. Dr. Christopher E. de Souza, a renowned Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon
at Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai has dedicated his efforts to addressing these
challenges, bringing hope to families who might otherwise have no recourse.
“Children from the rural areas of Maharashtra today
suffer from a spectrum of hearing problems. Cochlear implants have come to
their help, but they are very costly and beyond their means. Therefore, we help
children who are born into impoverished families,” Dr. de Souza shared.
The
High Cost of Restoring Hearing
A cochlear implant costs at least Rs. 6.5 lakhs, with
an additional Rs. 1 lakh required for hospitalisation and associated care.
Recognising the financial barriers, Lilavati Hospital has created a program
that relies on donor contributions to fund these life-changing procedures.
“Lilavati Hospital wishes to give back to society with
the help of donors who have donated generously. As a result, surgeries have
been performed excellently, and hospitalisation has been taken care of with the
help of donors,” Dr. de Souza explained.
A
Transformational Journey for the Nation’s Future
For over two decades, Lilavati Hospital has
successfully performed cochlear implant surgeries, enabling children to hear
clearly and acquire speech and language skills.
“The purpose of inserting these devices is to allow
children to hear clearly, acquire speech and language, and join schools for
normal children with normal hearing. The ideology and philosophy behind this is
to change the fabric of society and so the destiny of a nation,” Dr. de Souza
said passionately. Today’s child receiving an implant may become a leader
tomorrow with the power to change society for the better.”
The
Role of Technology and Rehabilitation
While cochlear implants are transformative, they are
mechanical devices that can occasionally malfunction. Proper rehabilitation is
crucial to ensuring successful outcomes.
“It is important to make sure that children go through
the rehabilitation process. This model can be replicated using a hub-and-spoke
system, and we have reached children not only across India but also from
countries like Africa and Bangladesh,” he added.
The
Impact of Generosity and Commitment
Dr. de Souza emphasised that the remarkable progress
achieved so far has been made possible by the hospital’s commitment and the
generosity of donors. With no significant side effects or adverse events
reported, cochlear implants are proving to be the device of the future in
restoring hearing completely.
As Lilavati Hospital continues to lead the way in
transforming lives, its work not only changes individual destinies but also
strengthens the foundation of a more inclusive and empowered society.
“Together, we are building a future where no child is held back by the
inability to hear,” Dr. de Souza concluded.
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