Nurses: the key drivers to improving access to ear and hearing care in Zambia

While the plan aims to provide equal access to cost effective and high-quality health services for ENT care to communities across the country, the lack of qualified professionals is making this extremely challenging.

With five ENT specialists and one audiologist serving a population of 17 million, it is crucial to develop task-sharing strategies to address the needs of the population.

Nurses from 92 health facilities across Zambia stepped up and underwent two-weeks of training in hearing assessment and ear examinations. Twenty-eight nurses have been trained to-date and are the key drivers in improving access and raising awareness on hearing loss in the country. Over 15 000 people have already been reached with interventions to prevent, identify and address hearing loss through these efforts.

One such nurse is Precious Nyanga from the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka. Having undergone the training, Precious confidently manages common ear and hearing problems and refers any cases which require specialist attention.

"My job is to assess hearing and carry out ear examinations. Those found with hearing loss are fitted with hearing aids so that they can communicate with their loved ones. When one is not able to hear, they become isolated or isolate themselves which may lead to depression. For children who have hearing loss, they are not able to speak because to be able to speak, one needs to hear. Unfortunately, these children are deemed dull and sometimes useless, so my job is to make sure that I help them."

"The three-year old child pictured here was brought to the clinic by her mother because she could not talk. She was assessed with play audiometry hearing screening test and found to have severe hearing loss. She was then fitted with hearing aids and immediately started speech therapy. Now, she is able to communicate with the people around her."

Outreach health services ─ especially to the most vulnerable populations and raising awareness ─ is at the core of the national strategic plan.

Nurses are often referred to as the ‘boots on the ground’ as they are responsible for the implementation of government policies and translating them into grassroot actions.

Nurse Carol, is at the forefront, leading community outreach in Zambia.

"We provide outreach services to communities who may not know about the various health services we provide including hearing assessments and ear examinations, including those who do not have the means to go to the hospital."