Monrovia- About 100 people who are enduring hearing difficulties in Caldwell, Montserrado County, have benefited from treatment, following screenings over the weekend by Church Aid Incorporated, in collaboration with its local partner OCM Health Team. By Willie N. Tokpah The exercise formed a part of the 26th celebration of the institution’s anniversary, which took place on Friday, August 16 in the Township of Caldwell.
During the testing, some foreign materials were removed from the ears of two of those screened. The exercise brought together about 100 persons including people who are suffering from hearing imperilment, the elderly, and community dwellers in District #11, Montserrado County. Delivery of the Keynote Address, Dr.
Paye N. Gbanmie, Medical Director at the government-run Hospital in Duport Road and team lead of OCM Health Team in separate remarks, called on the government to buttress the efforts of Church Aid Incorporated as they continue to provide free medical outreach to several persons across the country since its establishment 26th years ago. Dr.
Gbanmie observed that ChurchAid Incorporated needs the support and collaboration of policymakers and other healthcare providers that will help them create an enabling environment and complement their efforts in the country In this regard, according to him, the OCM Health team looks forward to partnering with Church Aid Incorporated to refer cases of hearing disabilities that will be screened and tested during medical and surgical activities. “Dr. Thomas Nimene Tweh Jr will be keen on following up with the progress of those would-be patients and provide the necessary assistance that will be required for patients’ recovery” Dr.
Paye N. Gbanmie, averred. He asserted that the OCM Health Team is prepared to provide healthcare hands-on training to clinicians for medical supplies or equipment it intends to provide for healthcare instruments and organizations like Church Aid Incorporated.
Gbanmie emphasized the collaboration efforts will not achieve the automated goal of alleviating hearing disabilities without the cooperation and support of local community leaders. He admonished community dwellers to complement the efforts of ChirchAid Incorporated and cautioned them against stigmatizing people with hearing disabilities in their respective communities. Dr.
Gbanmie spoke when he served as a proxy for Thomas Nimene Tweh Jr, alias, “Original Country Man,” during the program marking the 26th Anniversary of Church Aid Incorporated. Also making remarks, the General Overseer of New Water in the Desert Apostolic Pentecostal International, Bishop Kortu K. Brown noted the awareness of Hearing Healthcare promotion is intended to help restore those who have faced hearing difficulties over the years.
Bishop Brown referenced the World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated about 150 Million people have hearing disabilities across the World with about 15 percent of Liberia’s population suffering from hearing difficulties. Church Aid in collaboration with its local International partners in 2023, trained four nurses in Hearing Healthcare to help screen and treat those who suffered from hearing complications in the country. Beneficiaries from the first training in Zambia include P.
Magdalene Konneh, from the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Montserrado County, Hannah H. Newah, a nurse from the Government Hospital in Tubmanburg, Bomi County, Mr.
D. Iben Porkpah, and Mr. Moses Biman Jr, both from Curran Lutheran Hospital in Lofa County.
Early this year, an additional four nurses departed the country to undergo similar training. They include Blessing Acquire, of the Government Hospital in Grand Bassa County, Georgia A. Gray from Redemption Hospital in Montserrado County, Naomi Smith, from the CD Dunbah Hospital in Bong County, and Vanja Mama Kowula, from C.
H. Rennie Hospital in Margibi County. Moreover, Church Aid in collaboration with its International Partners has announced a plan to train about 20 nurses to be assigned to government hospitals across the country to help address people who have hearing complications.
Currently, Liberia has only one Hearing HealthCare Specialized Doctor assigned at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Sinkor, something which prompted Church Aid Incorporated in collaboration with its International Partners to embark on training of nurses to help buttress government efforts across the country. ChurchAid Incorporated is the relief arm of New Water in the Desert Apostolic Pentecostal International, located in Brewerville, outside Monrovia.
