New Delhi, Sehat Correspondent
The Department of ENT and Head & Neck Surgery, ABVIMS & Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, New Delhi, successfully organized a comprehensive program on 2nd March 2026 to mark World Hearing Day 2026. The event aligned with the WHO theme for 2026: “From Community to Classrooms: Hearing Care for Every Child”
The department organized an incredible program under the able leadership of Dir Prof. (Dr.) Gautam Bir Singh, HoD, ENT, and under the able guidance Dir Prof (Dr.) Ashok Kumar, Director ABVIMS and Dr. RML Hospital, Dir Prof. (Dr.) R. K. Sahoo, Principal ABVIMS, Prof. (Dr.) Vivek Dewan, Medical Superintendent Dr. RML Hospital. The program commenced at the ENT OPD with interactive sessions on Deafness and Ear Hygiene, conducted by ENT and DHLS faculty from AIISH Mysuru. Activities included knowledge dissemination, pamphlet distribution, and an engaging street play (Nukkad Natak) to sensitize patients and the general public about early detection, prevention of hearing loss, and safe listening practices.
A Handmade Poster Presentation Competition was organized for all faculty, students, and staff. The competition encouraged originality, scientific accuracy, and public awareness impact. The competition was judged by Dir Prof. (Dr.) R.K. Sahoo, Principal ABVIMS and Prof. (Dr.) M.K. Jha, Addl. MS.
The Scientific Session was held at LT-4, ABVIMS & Dr. RML Hospital, following lunch. The Chief Guest for the event was Dir Prof (Dr.) Sunita Sharma, Director General (DGHS), MoHFW and the Guest of honor was Dir Prof (Dr.) Ashok Kumar, Director, ABVIMS & Dr. RML Hospital. Among the other dignitaries present were Dr. R.P. Joshi, Additional DGHS, Dir Prof. (Dr.) R.K. Sahoo, Principal, Prof. (Dr.) Vivek Dewan, MS and Dr. Naveen Aggarwal, Deputy Secretary to Government of India.
The Ceremony commenced with the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp. The dignitaries were formally felicitated by the organizing team in recognition of their leadership and contribution to public health. Dir. Prof. (Dr.) Gautam Bir Singh welcomed everyone with his opening remark. In her address, the Chief Guest, Dr. Sunita Sharma, emphasized the importance of early hearing screening, strengthening implementation of the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness (NPPCD), and integrating hearing care into school and community health systems. The Guest of Honour, Dr. Ashok Kumar, reiterated the institution’s commitment to advancing paediatric hearing services, including cochlear implant programs and community outreach initiatives.
The academic sessions were chaired collectively by: Dr. Jyoti Arora (Dir. Prof. & HoD, Anatomy), Dr. K.K Tyagi (Add. MS, Dr. RMLH), Dr. Akhila Prasad (Prof. & HoD, Radiology), Dr. Alok Hemal (Prof. Pediatrics), Dr. Arunabha Chakravarti (Dir. Prof. & HoD, ENT, LHMC), Dr. Ravi Meher (Dir. Prof. & HoD, ENT, MAMC).
A series of insightful and informative lectures were delivered during the session, highlighting key aspects of hearing care and deafness prevention under the NPPCD by esteemed faculties from ENT and Community Medicine Department. Experts delivered lectures on NPPCD implementation, evaluation of deaf children, pediatric tympanoplasty, secretory otitis media, cochlear implants, community ear care, noise-induced hearing loss, and rehabilitation through hearing aids.
Experts emphasized early screening, multidisciplinary management, community participation, and strengthening public health strategies to reduce the burden of preventable hearing loss. The event was attended by more than 100 delegates.
The Department of ENT reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening hearing healthcare services and community awareness initiatives, ensuring that hearing care truly reaches from communities to classrooms, and that every child receives the opportunity to hear, learn, and thrive.
Senior Reporter