Zambia HARK! 2009-2014
This five-year HARK! project, which includes a three-year set-up phase, followed by two years support and follow-up, will improve screening, diagnostic and treatment services to children suffering ear disease and hearing loss, in partnership with the Ministries of Health and Education. The first phase of the project will focus on the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka (UTHL), improving existing audiology facilities and strengthening the infrastructure. The second phase will see a HARK! Outreach service established at Kitwe Central Hospital, in the heart of the country’s northern Copperbelt region, where there is currently no audiology provision outside the mines, in spite of the region being home to a major centre of population. In Kitwe Sound Seekers will establish static and mobile audiology services, through the provision of a HARK vehicle, two suites of audiology equipment, an ear-mould laboratory, and training in audiology for at least four Zambian clinicians or nurses and two-three technicians (trained in audiology maintenance at Kampala University) A UK-based African audiologist will provide initial training and project support during the set-up phase, working directly with the Kitwe HARK! team. The project will also help strengthen the Zambia National Association of the Hearing Impaired (ZNAHI) which already provides support services to patients referred from UTHL and explore working with Zambia Institute for Special Education (ZAMISE) to provide short courses in audiology in support of the project.