Basic Health
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Kenia
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Screening and early intervention for children with deafblindness

Organisation: Sense International
Partner organisation in partner country: Sense International Kenya
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Situation:  

In Kenya, infants are rarely screened for sight or hearing loss at birth. Without early diagnosis, quality health care and early-years support, children with deafblindness and other complex disabilities risk development delays. They then need more significant support later in childhood, by which time they and their families have faced years of challenges and exclusion. 
 

Objectives: 

Supporting four partner hospitals in Kwale and Garissa counties to be able to:

  • Screen 75% of all children for sight and hearing loss who attend for their 14-week vaccinations.
  • Provide quality early intervention therapy to children (aged 0-4 years) with deafblindness and complex disabilities.

 

Indicators:
  • Number of children with deafblindness/complex disabilities with improved development outcomes.
  • Partner hospitals can deliver quality screening and early intervention services
  • Both county government have the policies, plans and budgets for long-term provision of screening and early intervention services. 
     
Measures:
  • 48 trained health professionals demonstrate the skills and knowledge to deliver quality services.
  • 6,700 children screened for sensory impairments through the services.
  • 240 children with deafblindness/complex disabilities are identified and enrolled in intervention therapy.
  • Parents build the skills and knowledge to support their child’s development.
  • Both county governments include screening and early intervention services within annual county health plans.
  • 30 county officials actively participating in the project.
     
Sustainability:

In the first phase of the project, there was already significant success. County health services employed Occupational Therapists who provide early intervention therapy for children with complex disabilities. The local authorities included screening and early intervention services in their new five-year county development plans. This phase supports partner hospitals to further embed the services, and advocates for local government to fund and replicate them elsewhere.

Special features:

This is one of the only services of its kind in Kenya, screening newborn children for sight and hearing loss. It tackles stigma through trained health workers who share information on deafblindness and disability. By identifying children early, it provides preventative support in crucial years of development that can shape an infant’s future. It can act as a blueprint for replication in other counties.

Here you can find further information.