National Committees

Society for Sound Hearing has been instrumental in the launch of National Committees in three of the countries within the region. The three committees to be initiated are:

1. Central Coordination Cell, National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India
2. Indonesian National Committee for Prevention of Hearing Impairment & Deafness
3. National committee for prevention of deafness in Bangladesh

Central Coordination Cell, National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India

The National Committee to look at the various aspects of prevention and control of Deafness in India was formed in 2006. Based on the recommendations of this committee, the government of India launched a pilot project based on the recommendations of the 'Healthy Ear District' concept. The project was formalised as a National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness in 2008. This programme is presently running in over 100 districts of the country. The Main objectives of the Programme are:

1. To prevent the avoidable hearing loss on account of disease or injury.
2. Early identification, diagnosis and treatment of ear problems responsible for hearing loss and deafness.
3. To medically rehabilitate persons of all age groups, suffering with deafness.
4. To strengthen the existing inter-sectoral linkages for continuity of the rehabilitation programme, for persons with deafness.
5. To develop institutional capacity for ear care services by providing support for equipment and material and training personnel.

India National Committee Report for the year 2009 (42 KB)

Indonesian National Committee for Prevention of Hearing Impairment & Deafness

The Indonesian National Committee for Prevention of Hearing Impairment & Deafness, was established in December 2007. The Minister of Health, Govt. Of Indonesia, is the Patron of the Committee and Dr. Damayanti Soetjipto is the Chairperson. The committee has launched three provincial committees in EAST JAVA, BALI, SOUTH SUMATRA and plans to initiate three more such committees in 2010. It has been carrying out programmes regarding:

• Awareness of Noise induced Hearing loss, with focus on teenagers and small children
• City Noise mapping, roadshows, posters, leaflet distribution.
• Awareness creation amongst the general public
• Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Programme implementation, in Jakarta, Bandung, Bali, Surabaya
• Promotion of Concept of Healthy Ear District and Less Noisy City amongst the policy makers.

Indonesian National Committee Report for the year 2013 (744 KB)

National committee for prevention of deafness in Bangladesh

A National committee for prevention of deafness in Bangladesh was formed in 2006. The Honorable Health Minister of Bangladesh is the Chairman of this committee. The first meeting of the national committee held in 2007 decided to formulate a national policy for prevention of deafness in Bangladesh and to establish an ENT Institute. The aim of the National Policy is to get Sound Hearing by the year 2030.

The Objectives of the national policy are:

• To provide service for Elimination of deafness and hearing impaired cases.
• To develop Institutional capacity on Otolaryngology, Head Neck and Audiology.
• Establishment of infrastructure as a centre of excellence for comprehensive health care delivery (NIENT).
• Strengthening of existing infrastructure in all levels of health care delivery system with appropriate manpower.
• To develop appropriate human resources to fulfill the goal of 'Sound Hearing by the year 2030'.
• To rehabilitate all disabled due to hearing impairment.

A Technical Committee for formulating Policy for Prevention of Deafness and Hearing Impairment in Bangladesh has been formed in May, 2008. The Committee has Drafted of a Plan & Policy on Prevention of Deafness and Hearing Impairment in Bangladesh. The new 'National Institute of ENT' is currently under construction.

Bangladesh National Committee Report for the year 2009 (77.7 KB)