Wazzup Pilipinas!?
In a significant step towards inclusive healthcare, the Hard of Hearing Group Philippines (HOHGP), in partnership with the University of Santo Tomas’ Faculty of Medicine and Surgery - Master in Clinical Audiology Program, organized a Symposium on Ear and Hearing Health and the Public Health Care System. The event took place on March 7, 2025, at the Miguel de Benavides Library, UST Campus, Sampaloc, Manila, bringing together key stakeholders to address the challenges in hearing care and advocate for policy reforms.
A Call to Action on World Hearing Day
The symposium was held in observance of World Hearing Day, an annual initiative by the World Hearing Organization (WHO) that highlights the need for early intervention, awareness, and accessibility in hearing healthcare.
Participants included academics, representatives from local health offices, Persons with Disability (PWD) affairs offices of LGUs, national government agencies, disability rights organizations, and other key stakeholders. The gathering served as a platform to discuss challenges, share solutions, and push for policy changes to ensure that ear and hearing care is accessible to all.
Key Issues Raised
During the discussions, several critical gaps in the public healthcare system were identified:
Lack of dedicated facilities and medical professionals specializing in ear and hearing care.
High costs of hearing tests, treatments, and assistive devices, making them inaccessible to many Filipinos.
Inadequate PhilHealth coverage for hearing care services.
Limited funding for PhilHealth premiums for all PWDs.
Need for community-based hearing care training for barangay health workers and primary healthcare providers.
Call for greater awareness campaigns to be institutionalized in the national health framework.
The symposium strongly emphasized the need for collaborative efforts among government agencies, particularly the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Health (DOH), research institutions, and disability organizations, to create sustainable and long-term solutions.
Government Agencies Respond
Key representatives from PhilHealth, DOH, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), and DILG were present to address the concerns raised. They outlined existing programs, policies, and potential areas for improvement in hearing healthcare services.
A crucial takeaway from the discussions was the need for legislation that would secure funding for Ear and Hearing Care (EHC) services, including mental health support for those affected by hearing loss.
UST’s Commitment to Hearing Health
The faculty, students, and staff of UST’s Master in Clinical Audiology Program played a pivotal role in the event. They provided free hearing checkups after the symposium at the nearby Audiological Services Center, reinforcing the importance of early detection and intervention.
Paving the Way for a More Inclusive Future
The HOHGP’s initiative marks a significant milestone in advocating for hearing care inclusion in the national healthcare agenda. By fostering collaboration between stakeholders, pushing for better policies, and increasing awareness, the symposium aims to make ear and hearing care accessible for all Filipinos.
As the conversation continues, it is crucial that both the government and the private sector commit to developing sustainable, inclusive, and affordable hearing healthcare solutions.
The Wazzup Pilipinas founder, Ross Flores Del Rosario, recognizes this effort as a major step towards a more inclusive society, where no Filipino is left behind due to hearing loss.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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