The Otorhinolaryngological Society of Nigeria (ORLSON) has solicited the support of government on strategies for the prevention of hearing loss, early detection and other interventions.
The society made the call in a communique issued at the end of its Annual General Conference in Abuja on Thursday.
The communique was signed by Prof. Onyekwere Nwaorgu, the President of Pan African Federation of Otorhinolaryngological Societies (PAFOS) and immediate past President of ORLSON as well as Prof. Titus Ibekwe, immediate past Secretary of ORLSON.
The society noted that such strategies should include hearing screening programmes and enforcement of legislation against noise pollution.
The society commended the Federal Government for constituting technical committee to produce the Nigerian National Strategic Policy on Ear and Hearing Care.
It however, urged government to enforce legislation against avoidable risks of Otorhinolaryngology (ORL) diseases.
It further urged the populace to embrace the culture of early presentation of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) cases to specialists to ensure good management.
The society assured of its commitment to ensure the production of highly specialised manpower for Otorhinolaryngology practice in the country.
It identified the conference as part of efforts by ORLSON to champion the cause of uplifting and advancing Otorhinolaryngology Practice in Nigeria to compete favorably with global best practices.
The communique, however, urged government to support training and research, and to establish more National Ear Care Centres (NECCs), at least one in each geopolitical zone.
It noted that “government should encourage and establish suitable training programmes for the development of human resources in the field of ear and hearing care.
“It is desirable that government funds researches to determine national prevalence of common ORL diseases in Nigeria.
“Government should support and fund cochlear implant surgery programmes and also encourage programmes that will improve availability and accessibility of diagnostic and adjunct therapeutic tools in the country.”
The communique identified new leadership of ORLSON as Prof. Abubakar Salisu (President) and Dr Aliyu Kodiya as Secretary.
The theme of the AGM was ‘’Manpower Development for Otorhinolaryngology Practice in Nigeria: Time for Subspecialist Training”, with “Hearing and Speech Rehabilitation in Nigeria and Emerging Infections in Otorhinolaryngology” as sub theme.
