Moi Referral Hospital successfully performs East, Central Africa’s first cochlear implant surgery
By K24 Editorial, June 22, 2023Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital(MTRH) performed a successful cochlear implant surgery to become the first public hospital to undertake the specialist operation in the East and Central African region.
In an update, MTRH noted that the inaugural surgery done to improve hearing in people with severe hearing loss was performed on Wednesday, June 21, 2023.
The operation that involves – a small cut or incision behind your ear to create a small opening in the cochlea in order to thread the electrode of the internal device – took at least two hours.
It involved at least four doctors and a team of nurses to successfully treat the patient – a young lady who was diagnosed with post-lingual sensorineural hearing loss.
“Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) has performed its inaugural Cochlear Implant Surgery today, Wednesday, June 21, 2023. This makes MTRH the first public hospital to undertake specialist surgery in the East & Central African region. The surgery, which took 2 hours, was on a young lady who was diagnosed with post-lingual sensorineural hearing loss. It went on successfully,” part of the statement read.
Adding;
“The team included Dr. Menach Owen, an ENT/ Otolaryngologist at MTRH, and Professor Badr Eldin Mostafa from Ain Shams University, Egypt assisted by Dr. Rotich Gerald, Scrub Nurses Francis Koskei and Fridah Kotut, and Audiologist Angela Kiragu. The Anesthesia Team was led by Dr. Kimani Mbugua, Dr. Solomon Mwau and Mr. Henry Kemei.”
What is cochlear implant surgery?
Cochlear implant surgery is a procedure that helps individuals with severe hearing loss regain their ability to hear.
According to MTRH, the surgery is typically performed under general anaesthesia, and a small incision is made behind the ear to access the Cochlear.
This surgery can be performed on pre-lingual; children below three(3)years who have not developed hearing and speech and post-lingual; older children and adults who have developed hearing and speech but lost hearing.
Cochlear surgery will significantly improve the hearing and quality of life for people with severe hearing loss. After surgery, these patients are able to contribute their full potential towards the Society.