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Organization: Rwanda Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Society
Title: WORLD HEARING DAY CEREBRATION IN RWANDA
Alternate tite:
World Hearing Day celebration in Rwanda
Description:
The 2025 celebration of hearing health was organized in Musanze District, Northern Province, at Muhoza Health Center, which is located near Ruhengeri Level II Teaching Hospital. This hospital has recently launched a new ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) service, which has been equipped with support from ROHNSS in partnership with Project Life.
The event included a series of impactful activities:
• Free ear and hearing assessments for the general population of Muhoza Sector
• Educational sessions and public talks on ear care, hearing loss prevention, and available treatment options in Rwanda
• Inauguration of ENT equipment donated to the new ENT service at Ruhengeri Level II Teaching Hospital by the Mayor of Musanze Hospital
• Media engagement, aimed at raising awareness about hearing health, focusing on early detection, prevention, and the services now available
The activities began at 9:00 AM with screening and community health education. ENT doctors from across Rwanda, along with ENT residents and nurses, provided free consultations. Many patients received on-site treatment for common conditions such as ear wax impaction and ear infections. Those presenting with hearing complaints underwent audiometric testing on the spot.
Through the speakers, health workers conducted an education session on hearing health, followed by quizzes, and prizes were awarded to the winners.
A total of 727 individuals were screened during the event. The most prevalent diagnoses were impacted cerumen and chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM). Pure-tone audiometry was performed on 56 participants who presented with hearing-related complaints.
The Guest of Honor, the Mayor of Musanze District, arrived at 11:00 AM to visit the site and observe the ongoing activities. He was accompanied by:
• The Director General of Ruhengeri Level II Teaching Hospital,
• Representative from Rwanda Biomedical Center
• The ENT Program Director at the University of Rwanda,
• The President of Project Life, the organization that sponsored this initiative.
The Mayor of Musanze District addressed the residents of Muhoza Sector during the celebration of World Hearing Day 2025. He began by greeting the participants warmly and expressing his honor and pleasure in joining them for the event.
He thanked the community for their strong presence and participation, highlighting the importance of hearing health as an essential part of overall well-being. The Mayor emphasized that hearing issues are often neglected and stressed that ear and hearing care should not be seen as a luxury, but as a right for everyone.
He called on the community to raise awareness, seek early treatment, and support those living with hearing loss. The Mayor also took the opportunity to commend Rwanda Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Society and partners who organized the event and encouraged residents to protect their hearing, go for regular check-ups, and help spread the message throughout Musanze District.
The event was captured and broadcasted by Rwanda National Television.
Primary site: AFR – Rwanda
General Photos
Group photo of ent surgeons, resident and nurses
Arrival of Mayor of Musanze District
ENT Resident during ear examination with a headlight
Ent Surgeon doing otoscopy
Types of Engagement:
Screening: Yes
Traditional media: Yes
Social media: Yes
Special needs populations:
Participation of policy makers: Yes
Participation of influencers: No