Hear the World helps Nairobi to hear

2009-03-02, Nairobi, Kenya

In close cooperation with Lufthansa Cargo, the Hear the World Foundation set up a hearing center in the Cargo Human Care Medical Center in Nairobi, Kenya. German ENT doctors will regularly offer consultation, perform hearing tests and fit hearing systems thus guaranteeing sustainability. The Hear the World Foundation provides technical and financial support.

In the Buru Buru region northwest of Nairobi, Kenya, more than 10,000 people live without medical care. Meaning if someone falls ill, they have to make the long and often fruit-less trek to the capital. And those who cannot afford medicines or treatment in one of the hospitals in Nairobi simply have to set out again on the long trip back to the slums.

The distance the inhabitants of Buru Buru have to travel has now been shortened and medicines and doctors are much closer at hand. After just short of a year’s building work, the Cargo Human Care Medical Centre has now opened its doors to needy people from the region. One part of the Medical Centre is the Hearing Centre, established by the Hear the World Foundation, in which German ENT doctors regularly offer consultation, perform hearing screenings and fit hearing systems.

As of April 2009, twice a month German doctors from six disciplines (ENT, eye doctors, dentists, gynecologists, GPs and pediatricians) will provide care for people in the region. "We are drawing on a pool of 30 German specialists from these fields," reports Dr. Sven Sievers, Vice President of Cargo Human Care, who coordinates the doctors’ missions.

The Hear the World Foundation makes available not only finnancial resources, but also hearing systems, and provided the technical facilities to set up the Hearing Centre. "With the Hear the World Foundation we are supporting projects worldwide that relate to the issue of hearing. And Cargo Human Care is a prime partner and with its team of doctors plays a central part in ensuring the Nairobi metropolitan area gets basic medical services," explains Ora Bürkli, a member of the Hear the World Foundation’s Board. "Our commitment enables people in the region to enjoy the benefits of hearing screenings and hearing systems."

Anyone who can afford to pays a symbolic price of 50 Kenyan shillings or some 0.50 EUR per treatment session – thus paying due recognition to the invaluable services the German doctors offer. Cargo Human Care assumes the costs of the treatment for patients in need; the funding comes from the sponsorship of major partners such as the Hear the World Foundation and individual donations.

Anyone interested in making a donation can find additional details here or
at Cargo Human Care.