NATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF DEAFNESS (NPPCD), MIZORAM

Introduction

• Hearing loss is the most common sensory deficit in humans today.
• As per WHO estimates, there are approx 278 million people worldwide and 63 million people in India, who are suffering from significant auditory impairment (6.3% of Indian population). Currently there are 291 persons per one lakh population who are suffering from severe to profound hearing loss (NSSO, 2001). Of these, a large percentage is children between the ages of 0 to 14 years.

• An even larger percentage of our population suffers from milder degrees of hearing loss and unilateral (one sided) hearing loss

• Over 50% of the causes are preventable or treatable by surgical methods or rehabilitated with use of hearing aids, speech and hearing therapy.
• Also, there is inadequate health resources related to hearing and speech in terms of man power and infrastructure. With this in mind, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India launched National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness (NPPCD)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

·         To prevent avoidable hearing loss on account of disease or injury.

·         Early identification, diagnosis and treatment of ear problems responsible for hearing loss and deafness.

·         To medically rehabilitate persons of all age groups, suffering with deafness.

·         To strengthen the existing inter-sectoral linkages for continuity of the rehabilitation programme, for persons with deafness.

·         To develop institutional capacity for ear care services by providing support for equipment, material and training personnel.

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS

•      NPPCD was launched in India, on a pilot basis since August, 2006. In 2008, the pilot phase has taken the shape of a full-fledged National Programme. It was started in Mizoram since August, 2014 and it covers 9 districts namely Aizawl East, Aizawl West, Champhai, Kolasib, Mamit, Lawngtlai, Lunglei, Serchhip and Siaha District.

• State Monitoring Cell is established at Directorate of Hospital & Medical Education. The Team includes 1 State Consultant, 1 Programme Assistant and 1 DEO, headed by the State Nodal Officer, NPPCD – Dr. Robert L. Khawlhring.

SERVICE COMPONENTS

• Early detection
• Ear Screening Camps
• Early Treatment
• Referral Linkages
• Rehabilitation and Hearing Aid Provision
• Awareness creation among Parents/Community

Recruitment of Human Resources:

 ACHEIVEMENTS UNDER NPPCD

1)      Audiometry Room - completed for Civil Hospital Aizawl, State Referral Hospital, Falkawn, District Hospital Champhai, Kolasib, Mamit, Lunglei & Serchhip.

2)      Review Meeting was held on 7^th November, 2022 at Auditorium, Directorate of Hospital & Medical Education, MINECO, Aizawl.

3)      Stakeholder Meeting was held on 14^th March, 2023 at DHME Conference Hall, New Capital Complex, Aizawl

4)      Printing of Leaflets & Posters based on Promoting Ear Care and Prevention of Deafness completed.

5)      Procurement of Equipments - Indigenous Audiometer, Tympanometer for Siaha, Myringotomy Surgery Set for Champhai, Lunglei & Serchhip completed.

6)      World Day of The Deaf was observed on the theme “Building Inclusive Communities for All” in Mizoram on 23^rd September, 2022 in all Districts - Aizawl East & West, Champhai, Kolasib, Lawngtlai, Lunglei, Serchhip, Mamit & Siaha.

 Awareness campaign followed by Free Clinic was organised by Champhai, Kolasib & Serchhip and a total number of 151 patients were screened with PTA and Tympanometry out of which 15 patients with mild hearing loss were detected, 5 patients with mild Hearing Loss and 4 patients with moderate to severe Hearing Loss.

7)     World Hearing Day was observed on the theme “Ear and Hearing Care For All” throughout Mizoram on 2^nd March, 2023 in all Districts - Aizawl East & West, Champhai, Kolasib, Lawngtlai, Lunglei, Mamit, Serchhip & Siaha.

 Awareness campaign followed by Free clinic was organised by Champhai, Kolasib, Lawngtlai, Lunglei, Siaha & Serchhip and a total number of 78 patients were screened with PTA and Tympanometry out of which 30 patients with Hearing Loss were detected.