𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐀: 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐈𝐃𝐒 𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐋 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐌
Around 100 indigent Cebuanos with hearing impairments will receive free, customized hearing aids under a pioneering program of the Cebu Provincial Government through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).
The initiative, the first of its kind in the province, began with a pilot hearing screening and testing at Oslob District Hospital, where Governor Pamela Baricuatro, joined by Second District Provincial Board Members Dr. Stanley Caminero and Raymond Calderon, met with prospective beneficiaries. Ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists conducted the hearing assessments.
After three weeks of medical evaluation and processing, qualified beneficiaries will receive customized hearing aids made in Germany at no cost.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Baricuatro said her administration remains committed to delivering quality public services, particularly in health care.
“Salamat kaayo sa inyong pag-anhi diri karon. Ang tumong ra gyud namo sa probinsya ang makatabang mi ug mohatag og serbisyo sa katawhan kay mao man na ang inyong rason nganong inyo ko gi botaran,” Gov. Baricuatro said.
“Para nako ang liderato di na about nako, it’s about serbisyo para kaninyo,” she added.
Among those who attended the screening was Delma Mancia of Barangay Alo, who said the program would greatly help her two children, both of whom have had hearing impairments since childhood.
“Pagpa-check up namo niana naman gyud ang doctor sa una nga inheritance daw ni gikan sa side sa akong bana, kay naa man siya’y ig-agaw nga first degree nga naa sab ani nga diperensya,” Mancia said.
“Lipay kaayo ko ani nga programa pagkakita nako sa Facebook kay dako ni og tabang. Mo-eskwela baya sila unya di makadungog. Mas maayo na nga makadungog sila bahala’g di ka-istorya,” she added.
Rosemarie Sesuelo, 32, also expressed her gratitude after learning that her 7-year-old daughter, Trisha Mae, qualified for the program. She said her daughter’s hearing impairment was believed to have resulted from complications following antibiotic treatment during an illness.
“Nalipay lang ko nga usa mi sa natabangan. Mapasalamaton kaayo mi naka-avail ani kay kung magpa-check-up mi dako kaayo ang bayad unya mag-require og hearing aid, di man mi maka-afford kay pobre ra baya tawon mi,” Sesuelo said through tears.
The provincial government will also conduct another round of hearing screening and testing at Isidro Kintanar Memorial Hospital in Argao as it expands the program to serve more Cebuanos with hearing impairments. /𝑪𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑻𝑶𝑳 𝑷𝑰𝑶, 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝑭𝑬, 𝑱𝑳𝑷
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