MONROVIA – Dr. Anthony Tucker, Director for Non-Communicable Diseases and Injuries at the Ministry of Health, has condemned the Government of Liberia (GOL) for its lack of adequate support for the care and treatment of individuals with hearing impairments.
By Obediah Johnson, [email protected]
Dr. Tucker raised his concerns during the second observance of World Hearing Day in Liberia on March 3, held at the New Water in the Desert Apostolic Pentecostal Church in Brewerville, a suburb of Monrovia.
The event, organized by the Campaign on Hearing Healthcare in Liberia of Church Aid Incorporated, was themed “Changing Mindsets: Empower Yourself to Make Ear and Hearing Care A Reality For All.” It brought together policymakers, students, and citizens with hearing impairments, among others.
Dr. Tucker highlighted that hearing loss remains one of the most widespread yet overlooked health issues globally. He emphasized that millions of people, including those in Liberia, are suffering from hearing impairments due to lack of support and awareness about ear care and treatment.
Citing a World Health Organization (WHO) report, Dr. Tucker revealed that over 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from some degree of hearing loss, a number projected to rise to 2.5 billion by 2050, affecting one in every four people.
He noted that while some hearing difficulties are treatable, financial barriers prevent many people from accessing necessary healthcare. “Over 80% of those experiencing hearing loss do not receive the care they need,” Dr. Tucker said.
Dr. Tucker also underscored that hearing loss is not only a medical issue but a social and economic one. He pointed out that many individuals with hearing impairments are unable to pursue education or employment, and are often ostracized from society, which hampers their ability to contribute to their families and communities.
A key issue raised by Dr. Tucker was the lack of data on hearing loss in Liberia. He noted that hearing loss is underreported, and as a result, there is no reliable database to estimate how many Liberians are affected. “We do not have a full database to say how many people in Liberia are living with hearing loss,” he explained.
Dr. Tucker attributed the main causes of hearing loss in Liberia to untreated ear infections, measles, and exposure to excessive noise from loudspeakers in crowded areas. He also highlighted birth defects and age-related hearing loss as contributing factors.
While acknowledging the efforts of Church Aid Incorporated, which has trained hearing specialists in several counties, Dr. Tucker criticized the government for not prioritizing hearing health at the national level. “Hearing health has not been prioritized in our policies,” he said. “Ignoring hearing health is a form of neglect.”
He further emphasized the need to break the stigma associated with hearing loss, which is often linked to shame, disability, and superstitions in many parts of Africa, including Liberia.
“We must change the mindset about hearing loss,” Dr. Tucker stressed, adding that individuals with hearing impairments are frequently isolated and denied opportunities for advancement.
Dr. Tucker also warned that untreated hearing loss contributes to high school dropout rates and limited job opportunities for affected individuals. “Children with untreated hearing loss are often considered ‘dull’ and are more likely to drop out of school,” he explained. For adults, hearing loss often hinders their ability to find stable employment, further isolating them from society.
In response to these challenges, Dr. Tucker called for a national campaign to raise awareness about hearing loss as a medical condition, not a curse. He urged all sectors of Liberian society, including religious leaders, to use their influence to eradicate the stigma and ensure better treatment and care for individuals with hearing impairments.
The Ministry of Health is working to integrate ear and hearing care into Liberia’s healthcare system, Dr. Tucker added, with a Disability Coordinator already appointed at the ministry to oversee these efforts.
He also revealed the formation of a technical working group focused on hearing aids and technology, which Church Aid Incorporated is invited to join.
Bishop Kortu K. Brown, Chief Convenor of the Campaign on Hearing Healthcare in Liberia, also spoke at the event. He revealed that Church Aid Incorporated, with support from partners, has trained eight hearing specialists in Zimbabwe, each at a cost of US$20,000.
These specialists are now providing hearing healthcare services in counties such as Bomi, Montserrado, Lofa, and Bong.
Bishop Brown emphasized the importance of hearing care in Liberia’s healthcare system and commended the ongoing support from partners. He added that the organization plans to train more hearing specialists and distribute 10,000 hearing aid batteries to citizens already receiving treatment.
Both Dr. Tucker and Bishop Brown called for greater investment in hearing health, urging the government and non-governmental organizations to prioritize policies that ensure access to hearing healthcare for all Liberians.