Tata Trust, Maharashtra CM will sponsor cochlear implants for 60 children annually

NAGPUR: Children born with speech and hearing disability in region can now get cochlear implants almost free at the Orange City Hospital and Research Institute (OCHRI), Nagpur. The hospital has got support of Rs 5 lakh per child for five children a month from the Tata Trust and an additional support of Rs 2 lakh per child from the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s fund. In all 60 children can benefit from the implants in a year.
OCHRI medical director Dr Anup Marar told TOI that though the hospital had started the cochlear implant facility over six months ago, only four surgeries could be performed as there were no sponsors.Only parents who could afford the huge cost of Rs6-7 lakh only got the operations done. But now Tata Trust has expressed willingness to sponsor cochlear implants for five children monthly to the hospital. Additionally with the CM fund the patient’s relatives may not have to spend much for the implant.
ENT surgeons Dr Nandu Kolwadkar, Dr Sameer Chaudhary, and Dr Ajay Deshpande would be performing the surgeries under the guidance of Dr Milind Kirtane from Mumbai till they are on their own.
The idea of starting this facility came from the hospital chairman Udaybhaskar Nair. He is calling a ‘freedom from deafness’, Project Geeta movement as his sister was born with such birth defect.
Hospital did four surgeries this month and has planned five for next month. Hospital director Dr Usha Nair says that however the scheme is only for genuinely poor families.