1.7 million children examined for early detection of hearing loss in Egypt

CAIRO – 11 July 2021: Minister of Health and Population Hala Zayed announced that an audiometric survey of 1,780,000 newborns has been conducted as part of a presidential initiative for early detection and treatment of hearing loss and impairment in newborns.

The initiative was launched in September 2019.

“The number of examination centers within the initiative has been increased to 3,500 health units across all governorates to conduct audiological examinations for children from the day of birth to the age of 28 days,” Spokesperson for Health Ministry Khaled Megahed.

He added that a total of 4,521 non-Egyptian children living in Egypt were examined as part of the initiative, according to the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

Megahed also revealed that 105,091 children were transferred to a second examination, a week after the first examination in the same unit, adding that 9,991 children were transferred after the second test to hospitals and 30 referral centers nationwide.

He pointed out that the child's failure to pass the second test most of the time does not mean that he has a hearing loss, but that he needs advanced tests in the referral centers of the initiative, stressing that early detection of hearing loss or impairment avoids hearing impairment and facilitates treatment opportunities.

Megahed further stated that the birth certificate has been updated to include audiological examination, with the aim of creating a complete file for the child that includes his health condition and ensure his safety.

He noted that the ministry receives citizens' inquiries regarding the initiative on the hotline 15335 for the "100 Million Seha" or [100 Million Healthy Lives] initiative to take care of public health.