Launch of WWHearing: world-wide hearing care for developing countries
Key stakeholders concerned with provision of appropriate and affordable hearing aids and services in developing countries came together recently at a workshop at WHO, Geneva, and agreed to establish a new initiative, WWHearing - World-Wide Hearing Care For Developing Countries. Participants came from 18 developing and developed countries and represented governments, NGOs, manufacturers (commercial and not-for-profit), organizations of users and professionals, donors, and relevant experts.
The mission of WWHearing will be to promote better hearing through the provision of hearing aids and services in developing countries and underserved communities within the framework of the WHO Guidelines for Hearing Aids and Services for Developing Countries.
At the guidelines launch in 2001, WHO called on the private sector to provide affordable hearing aids in the developing world and emphasized that prices of hearing aids will remain prohibitive until all stakeholders work together to reduce costs.
The new executive committee of WWHearing has drafted the latter's terms of reference and operating procedures and has produced guidelines for pilot projects for public-private partnerships in particular developing countries. Institutions in several countries are in the process of developing pilot projects. These will be presented for approval and action at a follow-up workshop.