Organization: QECH Audiology/ENT clinic
Title: Qech Audiology /ENT clinic commemorated the 2026 World Hearing Day event on 3rd March under the theme From Communities to classrooms.
Al title (for format and translation – not permanent:
Qech Audiology / ENT clinic commemorated the 2026 World Hearing Day event on 3rd March under the theme “From Communities to Classrooms.”
Description:
The QECH Audiology and ENT Department commemorated World Hearing Day 2026 at Mudeso Deaf School in Blantyre after budget constraints prevented the originally planned national event with the Starkey Centre for Excellence and Kamuzu Central Hospital. Adopting the local theme From Communities to Classrooms, the department took ear and hearing care directly to learners of all ages who attend Mudeso’s weekend classes. Because sign language is taught at Mudeso and the school has trained interpreters within its classrooms, all health education on ear care, prevention of hearing loss, and hearing device maintenance was delivered accessibly in Malawi Sign Language alongside visual aids. The event featured interactive talks, an open question and answer forum, and age-appropriate ear examinations and hearing screenings, with QECH staff providing wax removal, and referrals where needed. Dr Kaisi, a lecturer at Blantyre Institute of Management, attended as the guest of honour and emphasized the importance of disability inclusion in health and education during the opening remarks. The commemoration received wide public attention after Times Television covered the activities for its evening news bulletin, The Times newspaper printed a feature article, and Television Islam Malawi hosted a live discussion program to extend the messages on hearing health and inclusion to faith communities. Despite limited funds, the classroom-based approach allowed QECH to deliver direct clinical services, empower Deaf learners, build staff capacity in Deaf culture, and demonstrate to policymakers that impactful hearing care does not require large budgets but rather partnerships, language access, and meeting people where they learn. 70 participants were screened, The majority were profoundly deaf. 7 participants underwent pure tone audiometry and were referred for hearing aid fitting. 4 Had ear infections, and 3 had wax impaction and ear syringing was done.https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EANcFYjvC/,https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1FkrxbRQsw/https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18Ep9JAT9j/
Primary site: AFR – Malawi
Region: AFR
Secondary sites:Sub Saharan Africa
Impactful Story:
Dr Sharif Kaisi, the guest of honour at the World Hearing Day commemoration, admitted he had limited knowledge about ear and hearing health. He mentioned that his son was experiencing hearing difficulties. He called his wife to bring the boy to the venue for screening.
We diagnosed the child with moderate conductive hearing loss caused by middle ear effusion, and ear pain. He completed 7 days of medical treatment. After treatment, we fitted him with a bone conduction headset.
The headset is working well for him. His parents report that his school grades have improved since he started using it.
General Photos
Ear and hearing screening activity
Ear and hearing screening activity
Times news
Ear and hearing presentations
Types of Engagement:
Live event: Yes
Screening: Yes
Traditional media: Yes
Social media: Yes
Special needs populations: children and adolescents
Met with individual policymaker: No
Participation of policy makers: Yes
Participation of influencers: No
WHO technical tool used: Yes
WHO educational and social media used: No