State observes International Week of Deaf People
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, September 23 2024: The "International Week of the Deaf People, 2024" was jointly observed by National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness, National Health Mission, and Directorate of Health Services, Manipur under the theme "Sign up for Sign Language Rights" at Classic Grande, Chingmeirong on Monday.

Attending the observance as chief guest, Health & Family Welfare ministerDr Sapam Ranjan Singh highlighted the significance of learning and using sign language for communication with the deaf community.

He stressed the importance of ear care and the need for preventive steps to combat deafness while cautioning against unsafe practices such as allowing others to clean ears in public, which can lead to injury and hearing loss.

The minister also stated that individuals with hearing impairments can access rehabilitation support through Health or Social Welfare Departments.

Additionally, he highlighted benefits of various schemes offered by the central government at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) to support those in need of treatment and rehabilitation services.

Dr Ranjan cited data from April 2023, revealing that approximately 3900 people in Manipur suffer from hearing loss, with 20 per cent risk of hearing loss observed in children.

He stressed the importance of rehabilitating affected individuals with available treatment options, while further emphasising the critical role of communication in personal and societal development, and said that it is only through communication that anyone can progress.

Delivering the presidential speech, Health and Family Welfare special secretary Hungyo Worshang urged the public to learn sign language and take advantage of the various government schemes available through Social Welfare Department, which address issues related to eyes, ears, and more.

He pointed out that many people, especially the poor are unaware of these schemes and called on the media to play a crucial role in spreading awareness about these opportunities.

In his keynote speech, NPC-CD state nodal officer Dr Mutum Vivekson said that as per a report of the World Federation of the Deaf, around 20 per cent of the population, which is roughly 1.5 billion people suffer from hearing impairment with 80 per cent of these cases in developing countries.

Furthermore, as per the 1CMR report, 9.9 per cent of the Indian population has problem of hearing impairment, of which 51.2 per cent are above 60 years of age.

In Manipur's context, a total of 3900 people with reduced hearing cases were detected from April, 2023 till August, 2024, of which 185 of them are confirmed to be suffering from hearing impairment, he conveyed.

The event was also attended by top officials, including Health Services director Dr O Sanahanbi Devi, Social Welfare director Ngangom Uttam Singh, NHM state mission director Dr N Dinesh Singh and head of RIMS Department of Otorhinolaryngology Dr Th Sudhiranjan as guests of honour.

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