MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – The Department of Health’s regional office in Ilocos (DOH-1) has turned over a total of 10 newborn hearing machines to 10 select health facilities for the prevention, early diagnosis and intervention of hearing loss among infants and newborns.
In a statement on Wednesday, DOH-1 director Paula Paz Sydiongco said the project is part of the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program (UNHSP).
She said screening is very important among infants to know if they have any hearing defects especially during their early development as it can affect their ability to communicate effectively.
"Hearing is necessary in the speech development and mental growth of a child. Through hearing, babies develop speech and language skills by listening and imitating sounds from the environment. It enables them to bond with their parents and other members of the family through voice recognition. Infants acquire knowledge through auditory stimulation and any delay or impairment in hearing can significantly impact an infant's cognitive, social, and emotional development,” she said.
The machines were turned over to Piddig District Hospital, Doña Josefa Edralin Marcos District Hospital in Ilocos Norte; Ilocos Sur District Hospital – Narvacan; Ilocos Sur District Hospital – Bessang Pass,; Ilocos Sur District Hospital – Salcedo; and Bolinao Community Hospital, Umingan Community Hospital, Dasol Community Hospital, Manaoag Community Hospital and Pozorrubio Community Hospital in Pangasinan on June 30.
Sydiongco said the machines cost PHP412,500 each or a total of PHP4.1 million.
"It includes a handheld unit, cradle, carrying bag, probe cord and thermal printer," she said.
The DOH-1 will conduct a training activity for health workers who will manage the newborn hearing screening machine to effectively operate the device.
“We are encouraging mothers of newborns to submit your child to hearing screening test to ensure their health and safety," Sydiongco said. (PNA)
