The West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), is proposing a mandatory genetic counseling and screening as a core component of antenatal care targeting sickle cells and the hearing impaired.
The center has also launched a manual on hearing impairment to guide both the public and caregivers on signs, symptoms and care.
Hearing impairment can happen any time during life; from before birth to adulthood.
A little close to 200,000 Ghanaians are suffering from various forms of hearing conditions.
20 percent of all the hearing cases in Ghana cannot be explained.
60 percent of the remaining 80 percent can be related to genetics while the remaining 20 percent are attributable to environmental causes.
About 1 out of 2 cases of hearing impairment in babies is due to genetic causes.
There are also several things in the environment that can cause hearing loss.
Sometimes both genes and environment work together to cause hearing impairment
The West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) resource guide provides hearing impaired and individuals, families and the public with basic information and contact details of different organizations, schools, and other facilities that offers supportive and assistive services to the deaf community in Ghana.
The centre has also developed a docu-drama to help in shaping public understanding of the hearing-impaired situations.
By Peter Quao Adattor
