Evercare Group Partners With MED-EL to Tackle Hearing Impairment
To mark World Hearing Day, a partnership between two international leaders in healthcare has been announced, which will see the Evercare Group and MED-EL join forces to provide people in Nigeria, Kenya, and Pakistan access to state-of-the-art cochlear implant care.
The Evercare Group, a specialist in high quality private healthcare in Africa and South Asia, and MED-EL, a global leader in hearing implant technology, have formed an important international alliance that will increase access to ear and hearing care services for thousands of people living with undiagnosed and untreated hearing loss. With hearing loss on the rise and low awareness about its impact, the timing for this new venture is key.
According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 5 people around the world live with hearing loss. However, in the latest global market research* conducted by MED-EL, a staggering 24% of people have never had their hearing tested, compared to just 8% who have yet to have a sight test.
To address this, the partnership aims to establish state-of-the-art ear and hearing care services at Evercare Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, and subsequently at other countries where Evercare operates. Each clinic will provide specialist care for people living with severe to profound hearing loss, including the latest cochlear implant innovations. World-renowned international surgeons will also visit the clinics to ensure patients receive the highest standards of surgical care and support the training of local experts.
Cochlear implants are innovative medical devices that replicate the sense of hearing for individuals who would otherwise be unable to hear. The implant bypasses the non-functioning hair cells in the inner ear (cochlea) and sends electrical sound signals directly to the hearing nerve and on to the brain so the person can hear. Samuel, a cochlear implant user from Nigeria, explained the life changing impact that regaining his hearing had:
“Apart from hearing again, the implant gave me my confidence back and got me out of depression. It also helps me to interact and communicate with people easily. I no longer feel isolated when in a meeting or with a group of people. One of the highs of my cochlear implant experience was the joy I felt making my first phone calls to family and friends who live far away and hearing their voices.”
Speaking of the partnership, MED-EL’s CEO Dr Ingeborg Hochmair commented, “Untreated hearing loss can have a detrimental impact on people’s overall quality of life, health, education, and social interactions. We are delighted to be working with the Evercare Group to bring together our unique expertise to ensure that more people can access quality hearing care and cochlear implant innovations to help them live a life full of possibilities.”
Mr. Irfan Khan, CCO, Evercare Group added, “Our collaboration with MED-EL marks a significant milestone in our mission to transform healthcare and provide advanced hearing solutions, fostering sustainable improvements in hearing health across emerging markets. As we join forces with MED-EL, a global leader in implantable hearing systems, our partnership unites international expertise and a shared vision for a sound future. By reversing health tourism and prioritizing affordability, we are making specialized healthcare accessible to all, while ensuring a sustainable impact through the training of local healthcare professionals. Together with MED-EL, we look forward to creating a lasting legacy that transcends borders and brings the gift of hearing to those in need.”
The new services will be introduced in 2024, with more announcements to follow.
