Nag-donate ang Department of Health (DOH)- Ilocos Region ng tatlong Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Machine sa tatlong apex hospitals sa rehiyon.
Sa isang kalatas nitong Biyernes, sinabi ng DOH-Ilocos Region na ang turnover ceremony para sa mga makinarya ay isinagawa sa San Fernando City, La Union noong Agosto 15, 2023, lamang.
Kabilang sa recipients ng mga machines na ginagamit upang matukoy kung may hearing loss ang isang bagong silang na sanggol, ay ang Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMHMC) sa Batac, Ilocos Norte, Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) sa Dagupan City, Pangasinan at Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) sa San Fernando City, La Union.
“We hope to detect and screen hearing loss timely in infants providing them the chance to be given immediate and proper intervention for their optimal development,” ani Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco.
Dagdag pa niya, “And with these essential machines in place at our public hospitals, everyone can avail of its services, especially those in underserved communities, and parents can have the means to identify and address potential hearing impairments among their infants. Hindi na nila kailangang pumunta pa sa malayo at gumastos para maipa-hearing test ang kanilang mga anak.” Mary Ann Santiago