World Doctors Italy: ENT specialists Christian Streitberger and Nadia Giarbini protect children from hearing disorders at Dhulikhel Hospital.
Hearing is essential for children to “grasp” the world. In our part of the world, newborns are tested for their hearing ability. In developing countries, however, hearing impairments in babies often go undetected, and with that, the chance for a better life fades.
At Dhulikhel Hospital in Nepal, World Doctors Italy (Medici dell'Alto Adige per il Mondo) has now introduced a newborn hearing screening program. The project is planned for three years and aims to screen approximately 3,000 to 4,000 newborns per year. The program is supported by the German Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation.
The medical quality of the project is ensured by South Tyrolean ENT specialists Christian Streitberger, former head physician at Merano Hospital, and Nadia Giarbini. They have just returned from their third voluntary mission at Dhulikhel Hospital. “Together with our Nepalese colleagues, we serve the entire catchment area of Dhulikhel Hospital, which includes 18 satellite centers and covers nearly three million people,” the doctors report.
Hearing loss is a serious problem in Nepal. About 16.6 percent of the population suffers from hearing disorders—more than in most other Asian countries. Among children, every second hearing impairment is due to untreated ear infections. “Anything we detect early can be treated better—especially in babies and toddlers,” says audiologist Nadia Giarbini.
The doctors are bringing modern know-how to the country. Inner ear damage is initially treated with hearing aids and auditory rehabilitation. “When this does not lead to language development, cochlear implants are used in young children and even teenagers,” explains ENT specialist Christian Streitberger.
The doctors performed four cochlear implant surgeries during their mission in March. Since Dhulikhel Hospital has university status, the operations were broadcast live to the hospital’s lecture hall. This allowed medical students and future ENT specialists to follow the procedures.
On five continents, the Association of World Doctors Italy invests in education, clean drinking water, and medical care. “We support the hearing project in Nepal because language is essential for children’s social development—and because, like in all our projects, dedicated doctors are volunteering their time,” says Gabriele Janssen Pizzecco, the managing director of the association.
Please help ensure that children can experience and shape the world with all their senses.
Bank Accounts
Volksbank IBAN IT95 U05856 11601 050570000333
Raiffeisenkasse IBAN IT25 U08081 11610 000306005349
Südtiroler Sparkasse IBAN IT35 E 06045 11600 000005003779
