By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
MED-EL expands with new Lagos office.
World-leading hearing implant company, MED-EL, has opened a new office in Lagos, creating opportunities for better healthcare access for those with hearing impairments.
With the new MED-EL office, patients needing cochlear implants can now access this essential service.
At the opening ceremony, Stephanie Unterrieder, Business Development (Africa) and Regional Manager for MED-EL, stated, “With good health policies and awareness, the hearing communication barrier will be overcome. The main goals are to raise awareness and provide perfect access and care for patients with hearing implants. Cochlear implants are still the only medical devices worldwide that can restore a human sense, which is the sense of hearing.”
Austrian commercial counsellor to Nigeria, Barbara Lehninger, highlighted MED-EL’s pivotal role in enabling people to regain their hearing. She remarked, “As the Commercial Counselor of the Austrian Embassy, it is a joyous occasion to be part of this inauguration. This office in the heart of Lagos is a significant milestone and highly commendable.”
Barnabas Vangeruwa, a consultant with Nigerbell Speech and Hearing Centres Ltd, emphasized the importance of government involvement due to the increasing population of people with hearing loss. “With the establishment of centres like this, diagnosis and awareness will increase, providing solutions. However, the government’s active involvement is crucial,” he asserted.
Dr. Adekunle Adeyemo, a renowned ENT Surgeon from Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, urged all levels of government to collaborate with experts to create awareness and provide solutions for those with hearing impairments. This partnership aims to improve their quality of life and integrate them into society. He noted, “Hearing loss and its management have not received adequate attention from the government despite the large number of reported cases in Nigeria.”
Hearing, Government.
MED-EL expands with new Lagos office