Strengthening Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Healthcare in Zambia
On March 3, 2023, Beit-CURE Children’s Hospital of Zambia joined the rest of the world in celebrating World Hearing Day, commemorated under the theme “Ear and Hearing Care for All, Let’s Make It a Reality.” Led by the Zambia Police Brass Band, the day kicked off with a 1.3 kilometers march from Lusaka Intercontinental Hotel to the Ministry of Health Ndeke House.
Launching the event, Minister of Health Honorable Sylvia Masebo said, “I am therefore very delighted to highlight the progress we have made together with you, our cooperating partners, towards our government’s commitment of attaining Universal Health Coverage by the year 2030.”
Ear and hearing problems disproportionately impact marginalized populations. Globally, over 1.5 billion people live with ear problems and hearing loss, nearly 80 percent in low- and middle-income countries.
“In Africa, an estimated 135 million people have ear and hearing problems. These numbers are rising. At the current rate, it is likely that by 2050, there could be over 338 million people affected by ear and hearing issues in Africa,” said WHO Country Representative, Dr. Nathan Bakhayita.
Intentional Partnerships for Greater Impact
Twelve years ago, CURE Zambia, in partnership with The Christian Blind Mission (CBM), established tertiary ear and hearing care services at CURE Zambia, offering funded ear care to children under the age of 18. This was all in an effort to supplement the good work that the University Teaching Hospital of Zambia ENT Clinic was doing at the time. To date, CURE Zambia has conducted over 5,000 life-transforming ENT surgeries.
In a bid to support and supplement the efforts of the Ministry of Health to provide ENT care, CURE Zambia recently welcomed a full-time in-house ENT Surgeon, Dr. Harben Brihane, to join our part-time ENT Surgeon, Dr. Racheal Hapunda. The doctors, on average, see about 650 patients per month.
“I am really passionate about otorhinolaryngology,” Dr. Haben said. “There is a growing demand for ENT medical care not only in Africa but also globally. Being able to bring value whilst serving with CURE International is what I love the most, because not only do I get to help heal kids from underserved communities, but I also get to proclaim the kingdom of God and this brings me great joy and fulfillment.”
How ENT Care Transforms Lives
One child whose life has been dramatically changed thanks to the improved ENT care at CURE Zambia is four-year-old Bridget, who had a tumor in her throat and on her tongue.
With this condition, Bridget struggled to eat and talk. The tumor forced her tongue out of its usual position, forcing Bridget to open her mouth most of the time. Furthermore, this took away Bridget’s beautiful smile.
But thankfully, she made it to CURE Zambia, where she received life-transforming surgical care at our ENT department. Today Bridget can once again eat and talk with no issues, and she also got back her incredible smile.
In partnership with CBM, CURE Zambia is dedicated to making more strides toward improving ENT medical care and serving more children like Bridget with ENT needs.
Learn more about partnering with CURE Zambia to help kids heal here.
All surgeries performed at CURE Zambia are made possible by generous donors, click here to sponsor a child today.
About the Beit-CURE Children’s Hospital of Zambia
Established in 2006, CURE Zambia performs over 2,500 life-changing reconstructive, orthopedic, ENT, and audiological surgeries each year for children suffering from treatable disabilities. Strategically located in Lusaka, the teaching hospital comprises six buildings, 54 beds, and three operating theatres. In addition to world-class clinical service, CURE Zambia ministers to the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their communities. The Beit Trust, a UK-based charity, provided the funding for this facility as a centennial gift to the people of Zambia. CURE Zambia is a strategic partner with the Ministry of Health.
