To mark World Hearing Day and the 87th birthday of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation distributed 2,000 free ear and hearing aids. This initiative aims to address hearing impairment and promote ear health, particularly since hearing aids are often inaccessible due to their high cost in Nigeria, ranging from N1 million to N10 million. Beneficiaries, including children and the elderly, also received free audiology tests and ear molds.
The foundation plans to extend its services to all geopolitical zones in Nigeria, with Imo and Ebonyi under consideration for the Southeast, and Bayelsa and Rivers earmarked for the Southsouth. In the Northwest, Kaduna and Kano are targeted, among others. Additionally, the foundation intends to replicate this program in Ghana and other West African countries. It emphasized the importance of partnerships with governments, organizations, and philanthropists to ensure ear health is prioritized and hearing aids are accessible to all, regardless of financial constraints.
The impact of providing these aids free of charge is significant, as it fills a crucial gap in healthcare accessibility and improves the quality of life for individuals with hearing loss. The foundation's vision is to create a world where ear health is a priority, and hearing aids are readily available to those in need.
