Australia Supports Samoa’s Hearing Care Services
Her Excellency Emily Luck Middle , Honourable Valasi Tafito Selesele Right
Photo: Supplied
In commemoration of this year's World Hearing Day, four audiology booths were unveiled at the Ministry of Health headquarters in Motootua to help enhance and further Samoa's capacity to diagnose and treat individuals of all ages with hearing impairments.
The unveiling of booths was made possible through the Samoa Hearing Program, a partnership between the Ministry of Health, SENESE, and the Australian Government through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (R.A.C.S).
The program's objective is to offer high-quality hearing care services to all Samoans. The installation of audiology booths helps in the early identification of patients and ensures that local services can address hearing difficulties.
The program also provides supplies of hearing aids, batteries, and other equipment, as well as training in the fitting and maintenance of hearing aids. Further, it offers training in Primary Ear Health Care to health workers, enabling them to screen newborns and young children for hearing impairments and treat them early.
Nearly 20% of the global population suffer from hearing loss and it is anticipated that by 2050, 700 million individuals will have hearing loss. In Samoa, approximately 2.5% of the population suffers from untreated hearing loss or impairment.
Australia’s High Commissioner to Samoa, Her Excellency Emily Luck stated that, “On this World Hearing Day, we are pleased to work with our partners towards making hearing care services accessible and affordable to all Samoans. The unveiling of these booths will have a significant impact on the Government’s ability to continue its work in providing these important health services.”
“The partnership between Australia and Samoa in providing quality and accessible healthcare is a testament to the strength of our relationship. By working together, we are building a healthier future for our people, and demonstrating the power of collaboration in achieving shared goals,” said Minister of Health, the Honourable Valasi Tafito Selesele.
The Australian Government acknowledges the hard work of Dr. Sione Pifeleti and his team, and for working together with RACS and SENESE to ensure hearing services are available and accessible to the people of Samoa.