IMRA performs six free cochlear implants at Pims

ISLAMABAD: In an extraordinary gesture of philanthropy, the UK-based charity International Medical Relief Agency (IMRA), led by its founder Dr Haroon Khan, performed six life-changing cochlear implant surgeries at the Children Hospital of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) between December 11 and 13, officials said on Saturday.

The IMRA collaborated with ENT specialists at the Pims and Dr Noweed Ahmed of the James Cook University Hospital to perform the surgeries free of charge, each costing approximately Rs3.5 million. The total value of this initiative reached Rs20 million.

The IMRA has been actively transforming lives since it launched its cochlear implant program in 2012, conducting 180 surgeries to date across its centres in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. Dr Haroon stated: "Each implant costs around $9,000–$10,000, with the total surgery package, including pre-assessment scans, tests, and two years of post-operative rehabilitation, ranging between $12,000–$15,000."

Dr Altaf Hussain, head of the ENT Department, Pims, emphasized the profound impact of cochlear implants on children born with hearing impairments. “Blindness cuts us off from things, but deafness cuts us off from people,” he remarked, highlighting the IMRA’s vital role in making these surgeries accessible for underprivileged families.

Access to cochlear implants remains limited in Pakistan, where around 5,000 children require the procedure annually, but only 150–200 are able to afford it due to prohibitive costs. Public sector hospitals are unable to offer this service, leaving families reliant on private sector solutions. Pakistan faces alarmingly high rates of hearing impairment, with 7.9% of school-aged children affected more than double the global average. Thirteen out of every 1,000 newborns experience congenital or early-onset hearing loss. Contributing factors include noise pollution, contaminated air leading to ear infections, and self-medication which exacerbates hearing disorders. A significant cause is interfamily marriages, responsible for 70% of congenital hearing loss cases in Pakistan. The absence of newborn hearing screening programs and delayed diagnoses often after children are 19–24 months old compound the issue.

The IMRA, raising over £150,000 annually for its initiatives, not only provides state-of-the-art cochlear implants but also covers travel expenses for its UK-based surgeons who perform these surgeries voluntarily. Since October 2022 alone, the organization has conducted 19 such surgeries in Pakistan.

Dr Haroon, while expressing pride in the initiative, called for increased public awareness and early intervention to combat hearing loss in Pakistan. He reaffirmed the IMRA’s commitment to continuing this noble mission, saying: "We aim to expand access to these surgeries, ensuring that no child is left behind due to financial constraints."

Dr Altaf also urged collaboration between public hospitals and charitable organizations to alleviate the financial burden on families and expand access to health care.

The IMRA’s program is setting a transformative example for philanthropy-driven health care solutions in Pakistan, restoring hearing for children and empowering them with communication skills. It underscores the potential for leveraging charitable initiatives to address critical gaps in the country’s health care system.