COWLSO donates E.N.T equipment to hospital in Lagos

Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) has donated the state-of-the-art Ear, Nose and Throat (E.N.T) equipment to the Odan General Hospital in Lagos Island.

Some of the equipment donated to the E.N.T department include Heine Otoscope, Diagnostic Audiometer AD629, video laryngoscope and propose ear injector among many others.

COWLSO also flagged off free goitre surgery and distribution of hearing aids to selected women, men and children who were picked after medical screening carried out by the officials of the State.

Bolanle Ambode, wife of Lagos State governor and chairman of the committee said it was a delight to see COWLSO fulfilling one of its founding objectives which is to complement the effort of the state government in catering for the welfare of citizens.

She said the decision to upgrade the E.N.T department of the hospital with modern equipment and furniture, was borne out of the need for critical intervention to drastically reduce the percentage of people suffering from hearing loss, adding that the new equipment had the capacity not only to detect hearing impairments in adults, but in children and new-born.

According to Ambode, communication plays an important role in the society as hearing and understanding are central to social life, while people with hearing difficulties have the tendency to be isolated and more likely to suffer depression.

“Using hearing aid presents a number of advantages for a hearing-impaired person and these include improved oral expression. With a modern hearing aid, they not only understand others better, but others can understand them better too.

“Studies also show that hearing aids generally improve the quality of life and help affected persons get better relationship with family; feel better about themselves; get better mental health; and concentrate better at school. It also helps them feel more independent and secure.

“Our aim in this regard is to ensure that hearing defect does not constitute a limitation to children of school age, as well as adults,” she said.

Speaking on free goitre surgery, Ambode recalled that COWLSO had noted with deep concern the weekly diagnose of women with the disease, majority of which require surgery, adding that the decision to sponsor surgeries was informed by the high cost involved.

In all, she said about 30 women were selected for surgeries which include surgery tests and drug administration, while another 30 women were given modern hearing aids.

Adebayo Aderiye, chairman of Lagos State Health Service Commission, commended COWLSO for the initiative, saying that the gesture extended to beneficiaries was a positive development in Lagos State.

He added that the new E.N.T equipment had been subjected to rigorous test, and confirmed to be in perfect condition.

JOSHUA BASSEY