JNIMS performs 50th cochlear implant
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 23 2022:
Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) director Prof L Deben has informed that the Institute successfully performed its 50th cochlear implant for free.
Addressing a press meet held at his office in JNIMS on Wednesday, Prof L Deben said that according to a complaint made by one Nongthombam Amarjit of Sawombung on November 3, his (Amarjit) 5 -year-old son, who had been both hearing and speech impaired since birth, was admitted to the hospital in August for a cochlear implant.
However, after the date of operation was fixed, the machine malfunctioned and the patient was discharged with assurance of informing the family once the machine was fixed.
Unfortunately, the patient's family received no update on the status of the machine.
Thus, based on the complaint, the doctors of ENT department of JNIMS convened a meeting, following which the machine was repaired and the family informed.
The patient was readmitted to the hospital and the cochlear was implanted successfully.
The patient will be discharged in 1-2 days and will be provided free speech therapy at the hospital for a year, the director said.
Stating that free treatment is being provided to the poor people of the state under the CMHT and PMJAY scheme as per the instructions of JNIMS Society president and CM N Biren, Prof Deben informed that efforts are being continuously made to repair malfunctioning machines as soon as possible.
Presently, JNIMS is the only government hospital in the state performing cochlear implantations.
Getting the implant at private hospitals costs anywhere between Rs 7 to 10 lakh, but it is done for free at JNIMS.
Parents/guardians with children below the age of 5 years, who were born with hearing and speech defects, can bring them to the ENT department of JNIMS for consultation and help the children hear and speak normally.
A cochlear implant done within the age of 5 years will give the best results and last for 30 years, after which another implant could be done.
Children after 5 years of age can get the cochlear implant but will face difficulty with regard to speech intelligibility, he informed.
The director then said that if anyone is dissatisfied with the services rendered by the doctors, staff and the hospital itself, they can bring up their grievances to the attention of JNIMS authority.
Efforts will be made to resolve the matter as amicably as possible, the director said and appealed to the people to trust and support the doctors and staff of JNIMS.
Meanwhile, Jenita, the mother of the 5-year-old patient who received the cochlear implant, said that her son did not speak nor hear since birth.
The family took him to various private hospitals, both in Manipur and Guwahati, for treatment and incurred over Rs 10 lakh in medical expenses.
Someone suggested to them to go to JNIMS, after which her son was admitted to the hospital in August and scheduled for the operation.
However, he was discharged after the machine stopped working.
After some time, JNIMS authority communicated with the family, following which the operation was performed successfully.
Her son was tested and his hearing has improved significantly.
He will be undergoing speech therapy at JNIMS to build up his speech intelligibility, she informed and conveyed heartfelt gratitude to the authority, doctors and staff of JNIMS for treating her son.