Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Sept 22: On the auspicious first day of Navratra, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) gave the gift of sound to two more children suffering from profound hearing loss by facilitating life-changing cochlear implant surgeries at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital (SMVDNSH).
The initiative is part of the Hospital’s growing cochlear implant programme, supported by the Shrine Board to make advanced healthcare accessible even in remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
The latest beneficiaries add to the number of children helped by philanthropist Deepali Chawla, who has so far sponsored seven cochlear implants, including the two undertaken this Navratra. She personally met the recipients and their families, interacted with them, and encouraged them in their rehabilitation journey.
The surgeries also marked a technological leap, as for the first time, SmartNav Electrode Array Navigation Technology was used on funded implant systems. This advancement ensures precision in electrode insertion, provides insights into insertion quality, and facilitates neural response telemetry, guaranteeing that every child benefits from the best in implantable hearing technologies.
Dr M M Mathavan, Facility Director, SMVDNSH, said the collaboration of the Shrine Board and private donors was transforming lives and exemplified the potential of public-private partnerships. Dr Yashpal, Executive Director, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), reiterated the Shrine Board’s commitment to high-end healthcare for all sections of society, calling the Navratra milestone deeply inspiring.
The surgeries were successfully led by ENT and Cochlear Implant Surgeon Dr Rohan Gupta. The two children will now begin auditory rehabilitation, enabling them to develop speech, education and social integration. On this Navratra, as devotees sought divine blessings, the restored gift of hearing stood as a powerful symbol of compassion and collective effort.
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