Kathmandu: Minister for Health and Population Pradeep Paudel has introduced a groundbreaking directive mandating hearing tests for all newborns in Nepal. The Newborn Hearing Screening Directive 2081 BS, recently approved by the minister, requires maternity hospitals to screen for hearing issues within 12 to 24 hours of birth or during the first follow-up visit.
The directive aims to ensure early detection and treatment of congenital hearing impairments, which affect 1.8 out of every 1,000 newborns in Nepal, according to the Ministry of Health and Population.
“All maternity hospitals and reproductive centers across the country are now required to conduct hearing tests for newborns,” said ministry spokesperson Prakash Budhathoki. He added that if parents report concerns about hearing, health workers must refer the child to a facility with ENT and audiology services for further evaluation.
The directive emphasizes providing advanced care for children who cannot be treated at the initial testing sites, with plans to equip ENT hospitals with specialized OAE (Otoacoustic Emission) testing equipment.
A statement from Minister Paudel’s secretariat highlighted the importance of the new law. “Timely treatment can largely prevent congenital hearing disabilities in children,” the statement quoted him as saying.
The 2021 census revealed that 3,000 children under five in Nepal had hearing impairments, and studies indicate that 60% of childhood deafness is preventable with early intervention. Experts emphasize that treatment within the first year can restore hearing in most cases.
While some hospitals previously offered hearing tests, the new directive ensures nationwide implementation and consistency in newborn screening, aiming to significantly reduce childhood hearing impairments in Nepal.