By Sani Ibrahim Paki
The Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) over the weekend conducted the first Cochlear implant on two patients to help them restore their lost hearing organ.
The implant put in the patients’ head, who are completely deaf, is expected to restore their ears as soon as they recover.
The surgery, which is said to be the first of its kind in Kano state and second in Northern Nigeria, was led by two Cochlear surgeons from Jordan, Professor Al-Zoubi Firas and Dr Davide Profefa, and supported by other surgeons from the hospital.
According to the lead surgeon, Professor Firas, the operation is mainly to stimulate the nerve inside the ear and enable the inner ear collects sounds from outside.
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He promised that they will continue to partner with the hospital until indigenous doctors could carry out the surgery independently,
Similarly, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Abdurrahman Abba Sheshe said for many years, the only way deaf patients could restore their ears is by traveling to other countries.
“Two patients had successful operations, we will continue to monitor them and we hope many more will be treated very soon,” Professor Sheshe said.
Dr Muhammad Ghazali Hashim, the Head of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department in the hospital said he is excited that they have been dreaming of the day over the last three years.
The patients, a boy, three, and a girl, six, are expected to have their ear restored as the result of the surgery in the next one month.