NAIROBI, Kenya Mar 2 – Kenya is gearing up to host the first-ever Africa Conference on Deafness (ACD) in 2024, aiming to unite stakeholders from across the continent within the deaf empowerment community.
The Kenya Society for Deaf Children (KSDC), in partnership with the State Department for Medical Services, will take the lead in organizing the conference.
Harry Kimtai, the Principal Secretary of the department, stated that the conference will focus on tackling the obstacles encountered by deaf children across Africa.
“The conference seeks to take stock of the continent’s initiatives for empowering the deaf child,” he said.
While the Ministry of Health ranks hearing impairment as the fourth most prevalent disability in the nation, Kimtai emphasized that the conference will play a crucial role in formulating strategies to enhance the support network for the deaf community.
“The conference will address many issues with the main focus being on how the deaf community can be empowered and their quality of lives improved,” he said.
In Africa, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 135 million individuals experience varying degrees of hearing impairment, often regarded as a silent disability.
In Kenya, findings from the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) suggest that around 3 million Kenyans are currently grappling with hearing difficulties, with projections indicating a potential increase in this figure.
Among this group, 900,000 individuals are identified as profoundly deaf, with 300,000 falling into the school-age range. However, only 20,000 of school-going age are presently enrolled in educational institutions.
– KSDC input –
KSDC, a non-profit non-governmental organization, continues to advance in safeguarding the rights, needs, and interests of hearing-impaired children, particularly in the realms of education, health, and general welfare.
Established in 1958, the society was founded to aid hearing-impaired children in unlocking their potential and enable their full engagement in productive societal endeavors.
Rhoda Kabiti, the Society’s Chief Executive Officer, stressed the necessity for a shift in mindset, noting that deaf children are equally resourceful and intelligent. She stressed the importance of providing them with opportunities in society.
“We should all engage in the endeavor to empower deaf children and the community at large, as these children are just as human as anyone else,” she stated.
In furthering their efforts to empower the deaf community, On February 29, 2024, the society launched a level two medical clinic in Nairobi, equipped to address a wide spectrum of hearing challenges, spanning from clinical to audiological, across all age groups – children, adults, and the elderly.
The milestone according to the society’s Chairman Francis Ng’ang’a signified a significant stride in their commitment to empowering the deaf community.
“This is a crucial milestone for the deaf community, those with hearing impairment, and the public. We aim for this launch to kickstart a nationwide initiative, contributing to the national Ear and Hearing Care agenda,” he said.
Ng’ang’a emphasized the society’s commitment to “empowering silence” through pivotal efforts such as providing hearing aids, operating a mobile ear clinic, raising awareness about deafness, offering sign language training, and facilitating access to education.
“Through these efforts, we aim to reach and assist thousands across Kenya, bringing the joy of hearing to all,” he said.
