The Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, met with leaders from the Nairobi Association of the Deaf (NAD) to tackle critical health challenges faced by the Deaf community in Nairobi.
A major focus of the discussions was enhancing access to BERA (Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry) assessments.
Plans are underway to equip county hospitals with the necessary machines to provide affordable hearing tests.
The talks also explored incorporating these assessments into Social Health Authority (SHA) coverage for both civil servants and other Deaf individuals, alongside fast-tracking SHA training and registration for members of the community.
Inclusive employment opportunities within the health sector were also highlighted as a priority.
Additionally, NAD leaders sought the Ministry’s support in organizing the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) Conference set for August 2024.
The meeting marked a significant step toward addressing health disparities and fostering inclusivity for the Deaf community in Kenya.
