Rising for a cause

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that approximately 63 million people suffer from significant hearing impairment every year in India. 4-5 children in every 1,000 suffer from severe hearing loss and if left untreated, they end up with hearing and speech disorders.

Treatment for the hearing impaired costs a bomb (approximately Rs 8 lakh). To help such patients,, Apollo Hospitals, in association with NGOs Society to Aid the Hearing Impaired (SAHI) and Pink Crocodile, launched the Hearing Impaired Girl Child Project (HIGCP) on Tuesday.

Lending a helping hand were the mana Sunrisers Hyderabad team which took some time off from their busy schedule to get an insight into the world of the hearing impaired kids. The who's who of the Hyderabad IPL team including Dale Steyn, Shikhar Dhawan, Moses Henriques, VVS Laxman, Muttaiah Muralidharan and KL Rahul came down to Apollo's Jubilee Hills centre who were bowled over by the differently-abled young girls.

The HIGCP aims to fund treatment for hearing impaired girls below the age of 15. While Apollo will fund Rs 3 lakh, SAHI will pitch in for the balance which will ensure start-of-the-art Cochlear Implant and surgery for the victims. The post surgery treatment will be funded by Pink Crocodile.

But why is the focus of the project only on the girl child?

Vennela, a volunteer from SAHI, notes, "Girls unfortunately are victims of a patriarchal society. Many impaired girls are often left untreated as emphasis and preference is given to the male child. A hearing impaired girl is at a greater risk of facing abuse both physically and mentally."

"Cochlear Implant Surgery will empower a hearing impaired girl child, help her evolve into a respectable citizen, besides enabling her to achieve her dreams and ambitions. She will be able to live life on her own terms," says Dr Rambabu, ENT Surgeon, Apollo Health City.