According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 135 million people in Africa are estimated to suffer ear and hearing issues.
In a statement to commemorate this year’s World Hearing Day, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, stated that, “At the current rate, it is possible that by 2050 there might be over 338 million individuals impacted by ear and hearing difficulties in Africa.”
Moeti stated, “Let’s make it a reality so that disparities substantially affect marginalized communities as the burden of ear and hearing disorders reflect,” which is the focus of this year’s anniversary.
She claims that approximately 80% of the world’s population—more than 1.5 billion people—live in low- and middle-income nations and suffer from hearing loss.
She bemoaned how the issues with hearing and ear disorders have significantly damaged the lives of those afflicted, their families, and their communities, stating that they do not know how to or where to receive help or do not have access to the necessary resources.
She noted that in order to address the issues related to the disease, the government needed to prioritize ear and hearing care as part of their non-communicable diseases and universal health care agenda. She also observed that their campaign and political and financial commitment needed to be increased.