Jaythaleela K
MIRI, May 6: Three-year-old Dayang Irdina Awang Ahmad Tarmizi from Kampung Sinong Bintulu is set to be the youngest person to receive cochlear implants for both of her ears at Borneo Medical Centre (BMC) Miri after being diagnosed with profound hearing loss last year.
It is also a historic day for Miri BMC, as it would be the centre’s first cochlear implant surgery.
Professor Doctor Tang Ing Ping and Dr Doris Jong will perform the surgery which is scheduled to start at 7.30am and is estimated to take up to four hours.
Cochlear implants are extremely expensive, as each device costs about RM70,000 to RM80,000 and the cost of the surgery is approximately RM30,000.
“We are very grateful to the Sarawak government via my ministry (Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development) for the generous contributions which would greatly benefit this child for the rest of her life,” said Datuk Rosey Yunus on Friday at a press conference held in BMC Miri.
Rosey is also expressed her delight to hear that BMC Miri is also contributing RM30,000 for the surgery.
Dayang, who is the oldest of two siblings had previously been fitted with hearing aids, but due to the severity of her impairment, she had very limited access to speech and inconsistent response to even loud sounds.
On another note, Rosey has also reminded parents to bring their children for regular hearing tests.
“Please find time to bring your children for hearing screening for early detection,” she pointed out.
When asked on whether there any studies being conducted previously on how many such children suffer from hearing impairments in Sarawak, Rosey said so far no studies are being carried out, but her ministry is keen to explore the possibility in order to help such children.
According to Dr Jong, for the Northern Region of Sarawak, there are about six children since 2014 suffering from hearing impairments.
Also present were Dayang’s mother, 35-year-old Yalizawati Maon, BMC Miri’s chairman Dr Matthew Kho, and BMC Miri’s medical director Dr Kenny Yeap.
“We are so happy and grateful to the State government and BMC for the generous contributions to help my daughter in her journey from silence to being able to hear again,” said Yalizawati when met after the press conference. — DayakDaily
