Benghazi – The city of Benghazi is preparing to launch a comprehensive newborn hearing screening program. The initiative aims to detect hearing loss early and refer affected infants for timely treatment and rehabilitation, as part of efforts to improve maternal and child health services and strengthen preventive care programs.
Dr. Hussein Al-Khamri, head of the cochlear implant and rehabilitation department at the Specialized Surgery Center and director of the screening program, told the agency the project is part of the Ministry of Health’s focus on advancing early detection initiatives. The ministry aims to create an integrated system to identify and address hearing loss cases promptly.
Al-Khamri said the program targets all newborns in Benghazi. He added that his appointment as program director was made by Dr. Abdel Salam Aqila, the Ministry of Health’s general undersecretary.
He noted that early detection is particularly important because cochlear implant services are available. This allows for timely identification and referral, increasing children’s chances of benefiting from medical and rehabilitation interventions and supporting their language development and communication skills.
The launch of the citywide screening program follows a targeted hearing screening effort at Sabri Polyclinic over the past two years. Results from that initiative paved the way for expanding testing to include all newborns in the city.
The executive plan will start in newborn vaccination clinics, with Sabri Polyclinic serving as the main referral center. Medical and technical staff will receive training, with work underway to finalize technical preparations and activate the special electronic screening system.
The program goes beyond simple hearing checks. It includes early detection, follow-up, referrals, and medical and rehabilitation interventions to ensure proper management of confirmed hearing loss cases.
Al-Khamri emphasized that ongoing support and coordination between the Ministry of Health and related agencies are vital for the program’s success. He said this collaboration will help develop and expand the program in the future to include newborns across other Libyan cities.