Jean Claude Adzulla and Marit Kolstadbråten from Deaf Aid, Ambassador Elisabeth Jacobsen and a representative from the Ministry of Education at the opening of the new Mobile Hearing Clinic. Photo: Siv Cathrine MoeNorwegian Ambassador flags off Deaf Aid’s Mobile Hearing Clinic in Nairobi
18/02/2010 //
The Norwegian NGO Deaf Aid, assisted by Norwegian Ambassador Elisabeth Jacobsen, 17 February flagged off their new Mobile Hearing Clinic Truck. The Mobile Clinic will reach out to Kenyan communities to help identify, assess, assist or refer children and youth with hearing loss.
Many families do not have access to, or are not aware of the help they can get in terms of having their children screened and assessed for hearing loss. Early identification and intervention is key in order to make sure deaf children can continue attending school and get the assistance they require. The Mobile Clinic will be fully equipped, with two qualified audiologists and a nurse. They plan to reach 25.000 children and youth in the wider Nairobi area within 2010.
Ambassador Jacobsen said: “The Norwegian Embassy identifies with the vision of Deaf Aid which is “ an inclusive society” where children and youth are well taken care of, where everyone is included and has a value. This is in line with the The Norwegian Embassy’s development programme in Kenya where we support promotion of human rights and development of political reforms, with the aim of having an inclusive society where all citizens can participate meaningfully and have their voices heard.” She further commended Deaf Aid for “establishing successful partnerships with civil society, churches, private sector and the Government of Kenya”. She underlined the responsibility of the Government of Kenya to improve the situation for the disabled and the deaf in particular.
Her speech is enclosed.