On Monday, 13 September 2010, Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development MEC, Qedani Mahlangu will witness cochlear implant switch-on of a three year old Enrique Domingo at Steve Biko Pretoria Academic hospital.
The hospital's audiology and ear, nose and throat (ENT) Department performed this implant on 13 August 2010. The cochlear implant will be activated on Monday morning and this will be the first time that the boy will be exposed to the beautiful world of sound.
Enrique is from Eersterust, East of Tshwane and is one of a twin. Enrique was soon after birth diagnosed with a hearing impairment. His brother Tyrique's hearing is perfect. A cochlear implant could reconnect Enrique to sound, help him to develop spoken language and hopefully enable him to attend a mainstream school with Tyrique one day.
The cochlear implant is a device that is a surgically implanted into the inner ear and is able to bypass the damaged hearing pathway in deaf individuals.
This implant is one of the achievements of the Steve Biko Academic Hospital Board Robert Kerr Trust (SBAHB-RKT) Health programme, which was initiated in 2009 to address some of the needs that state patients often endure.
This programme has raised funds in various ways this year to help cover the costs of medical procedures not funded by government or medical aids for disadvantaged state patients.
Many volunteers like schools, sport clubs, celebrities and individuals undertook fundraising projects and donated towards the "Beautiful Noise programme this year which at the end financed Enrique’s connection to sound.
Enrique will be the third cochlear implant recipient at the hospital to benefit from this fundraising programme. Other public hospitals in the province including Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital have similar programmes that raise funds for such procedures.
Enrique, his parents and the team that performed the surgery will be available to share his story as well as answer any questions relating to the implant.
Date: Monday, 13 September 2010
Time: 08h30
Venue: Steve Biko Academic hospital, corner Voortrekker and Malan Roads, Pretoria, level six at the Ear Nose and Throat Department
Enquiries:
Sello Mokoena
Cell: 082 331 0786
