By Mercy Gadia
The Federal Government on Tuesday said it has expanded the National Eye Health Programme to include ear, hearing and other sensory health functions as part of efforts to tackle the rising burden of childhood hearing loss in Nigeria.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed this in Abuja during the commemoration of the 2026 World Hearing Day.
World Hearing Day, an initiative of the World Health Organisation, is observed globally to raise awareness on hearing health and the prevention of hearing loss.
Salako said the programme, now renamed the National Eye, Ear and Sensory Health Functions Programme, would strengthen national coordination and improve access to hearing care services across the country.
According to him, preventable factors such as untreated ear infections, excessive noise exposure, maternal infections during pregnancy and limited early screening services continue to drive childhood hearing impairment in Nigeria.
He warned that unaddressed hearing loss could result in delayed speech development, poor educational outcomes and long-term socio-economic challenges for affected children.
“Notably, up to 60 per cent of childhood hearing loss is preventable through timely interventions, including vaccination, early detection and proper ear care,” the minister said.
Salako added that the Federal Government had expanded the mandates of Eye Health Desk Officers in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to include hearing health responsibilities.
He noted that the ministry was also developing governance structures, policies and national guidelines to fully integrate hearing and sensory health into the country’s healthcare system.
The minister stressed the need for stronger community and school-based interventions, in line with this year’s theme, “From Communities to Classrooms: Hearing Care for Every Child.”
He urged parents, caregivers and primary healthcare workers to watch for early warning signs such as delayed response to sound, frequent ear pain and speech delays, and to seek prompt medical attention.
Salako also said the government planned to expand newborn hearing screening, introduce routine hearing checks in primary schools and train teachers to identify early signs of hearing difficulties.
He called on educators, healthcare providers, development partners, civil society groups and the media to support efforts aimed at protecting children’s hearing.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian child has access to timely hearing care and inclusive learning environments.