FAISALABAD: A successful bilateral cochlear implant has been conducted in Ganga Ram Hospital.
This implant which is the first in the hospital has opened new avenues of treatment for the children suffering from cognitive deafness. Prof Dr Irshad Malik, Head NET Unit No.1 of Ganga Ram Hospital, conducted the implant and said that the prevalence of deafness is high in Pakistan.
He quoted an epidemiological survey conducted in Punjab which showed a prevalence of 20 cases per every 10,000 individuals with consanguinity being a major cause behind it.
He further said that approximately 14.5 million Pakistani individuals have hearing loss and half of these cases may be due to genetics. He said that earlier the cochlear implant facility was not available in this hospital and the first successful implant has been conducted by him.
After this treatment, the children could live a normal life as their hearing and speaking senses could be restored, he added. Responding to a question, Dr Irshad said that this implant ha
s proved hundred percent successful and now this facility could be available to the all people.
The business community of Faisalabad has welcomed this successful implant and said that the city with a population of 8 million people has a public sector medical university in addition to four private medical colleges but there was no facility of even for the repair of a damaged eardrum in Faisalabad.