Organization: Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition
Title: Saint Lucia’s Initiatives undertaken for World Hearing Day 2026
Al title (for format and translation – not permanent:
Saint Lucia’s initiatives undertaken for World Hearing Day 2026
Description:
Saint Lucia commemorated WHD 2026 with the focus on promoting early detection and prevention of hearing loss in children, by empowering Healthcare Providers, Teachers, parents, students and the general populace, and providing structured hearing assessments with timely referrals of children identified with hearing loss. The following activities enabled the success of the focus for this year.
The Hearing Unit within the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition in collaboration with the private Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist the media and the general public conducted Ear and Hearing Training Sessions for Healthcare Workers in the Primary Health Care Service both in the North and South of the island. Also training of the Elderly care and Palliative care Workshops in collaboration with the Universal Health Care Program. Face to face interactive educational sessions for Teachers and Students conducted at some Schools and a webinar held for Special Education Teachers and parents in Ear and Hearing Care.
On 3 March, 2026, WHD the Hearing Technician read the Press Release and a Webinar conducted to educate Healthcare Workers Ministry of Education Personnel, Teachers of the Special Education Unit, students, workers in noise prone establishments, Parents and members of the general public in Ear and Hearing Care. The Facilitators of the EHC Webinar were: The Earn Nose and Throat Specialist who addressed Noise and Audio Devices: the effects on Adolescents, youth and the general population. He also addressed Safe Listening: definition and promotion.
The Ministry of Health, Hearing Health Team and Bureau of Health Education created and distributed media cards and other paraphernalia regarding Ear and hearing placed in the lobby of the Ministry of Health on World Hearing Day which lasted for a number of days to promote EHC in Saint Lucia. EHC posters and messages addressing ear care, protection and noise prevention made available to the public and at the Hearing Clinics/
Hearing Technician informed participants of World Hearing Day and the significance, the theme, aims, objectives, key messages and report of Hearing Health in Saint Lucia with emphasis on the growing prevalence of Hearing loss and tips for prevention.
The Community Pediatrician addressed the Impact of Screen time on children, communication, learning and overall development
Family Nurse Practitioner focused on the Roles of the Healthcare Provider, Parents and Teachers of Early Detection and management of ear issues and hearing loss.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Primary Health Care the Hearing Team were able to conduct Ear assessments, management and Hearing test at the Infant , Primary Secondary and the Technical and Vocational Schools in various locations on the island.
The Hearing Team conducted general public sensitization/ awareness discussions on Ear and Hearing Health on two live Radio programs in the North and Western pat of the island with media and the community.
Primary site: AMR – Saint Lucia
Region: AMR
Secondary sites:N/A
Impactful Story:
The Teachers of the Special Education Unit and the Health care Professionals all voiced that they were very satisfied with the information learnt during the training and they have indicated that their vigilance and timely referral of students and clients will improve. There is an improvement in referrals and public self referrals. Both groups have committed to work with parents, students and young persons to educate them on te effects and management of screen time in children.
General Photos
World Hearing Day 2026 Press Release by Hearing Technician
MOH WHD Promotion in the Lobby
WHD 2026 Training of HCW in South
WHD School Hearing Teaching and Testing
Types of Engagement:
Live event: Yes
Screening: Yes
Traditional media: Yes
Social media: No
Special needs populations: persons with disabilities (including hearing loss), children and adolescents, older adults
Met with individual policymaker: Yes
Participation of policy makers: Yes
Participation of influencers: No
WHO technical tool used: Yes
WHO educational and social media used: Yes