Rabat – Morocco’s extensive efforts to combat childhood deafness have reached Taroudant province, in the Souss-Massa region, where a large-scale prevention campaign was launched today.
The campaign commenced in the small town of Irherm, where medical officials screened local children and provided care for affected youngsters. Meanwhile the campaign included efforts to raise awareness among the local population about the symptoms and consequences of childhood hearing loss and deafness.
The free medical service is part of larger efforts to provide free healthcare to underserved or remote communities such as Irherm. Citizens in remote areas often struggle to benefit from preventative care and screening as they live far from hospitals offering such services. As a result, the government is deploying modern healthcare equipment in a mobile form to reach remote communities in need of preventative care and screening.
Following this first stop in Irherm, the campaign will move across the province and touch down in the towns of Ouled Berhil, Sidi Moussa El Hamri, Ouled Tayma and Taliouine, as reported by Moroccan state media.
Childhood hearing loss and deafness can often go overlooked, with serious long-term consequences. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) childhood hearing loss has a direct impact on language development, literacy, self-esteem and social skills. For children this can mean academic underachievement which then can lead to difficulties finding employment later in life.
However, the WHO emphasizes that through thorough screening and early prevention, childhood hearing loss can be prevented or addressed in early stages. A key component to detecting symptoms early is screening, yet awareness raising among parents is also an important element, to ensure families can protect their children by spotting hearing loss early.
As Morocco works to improve its healthcare capacities, early detection and prevention can be vital elements to ensure future generations grow up healthy and confident, in order to build a successful life.
The current campaign was launched as part of an agreement between the Health and Social Protection service in Taroudant, the Association of Taroudant Physicians, Pharmacists, and Dental Surgeons, and the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH).
