Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Distributes Free Hearing Aids to 200 Individuals in Need

Assam's Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, recently participated in a camp organised by the Deen Dayal Sravana Foundation and the National Health Mission (NHM), Assam. During this event, he distributed free hearing aids to 200 financially disadvantaged individuals, including children with hearing impairments from Kamrup Metropolitan, Kamrup, Morigaon, and Nalbari districts.

Sarma highlighted that the distribution coincided with the 109th birth anniversary of Pandit Upadhyaya. He noted that Upadhyaya was a strong advocate for uplifting society's most marginalised individuals. Sarma emphasised that true societal progress is possible only when every individual is empowered, aligning with Pandit Upadhyaya's philosophy of Integral Humanism.

Efforts to Combat Hearing Impairment

The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to Regula Ramanjaneyulu, founder and chairman of the Deen Dayal Sravana Foundation, and all those involved in this initiative. He acknowledged their support in making this endeavour successful. Sarma also mentioned that approximately 3.40 crore children globally are affected by hearing impairment.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO) data cited by Sarma, around 6.30 crore people in India face significant hearing impairments. He stressed that early detection of hearing loss causes and timely interventions can significantly alleviate the condition. Additionally, about 30 per cent of individuals over 60 have experienced hearing loss.

Government Initiatives

The National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development, along with NHM's Child Health Programme, has identified 3,130 individuals with hearing impairments to receive free hearing aids. The Chief Minister also outlined various measures undertaken by the state government to eradicate hearing impairment from society.

These efforts reflect a commitment to addressing health challenges and improving the quality of life for affected individuals. By providing necessary resources and support, the government aims to empower those with hearing impairments and foster an inclusive society.