19/02/2025
Historic Milestone: First Cochlear Implant Surgery at Jinnah Hospital, Lahore
ALHAMDULILLAH! A groundbreaking achievement in surgical excellence has been reached at Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, where the ENT Department successfully performed its first-ever cochlear implant surgery on a five-year-old child with bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss.
According to a WHO survey (2018), 10% of Pakistan's population suffers from congenital deafness, highlighting the urgent need for effective healthcare solutions. Cochlear implantation has emerged as a well-established means of auditory rehabilitation for severely to profoundly deaf individuals. However, financial constraints have long limited the implementation of cochlear implant programs in the public sector.
This remarkable success was made possible through the dedication of a skilled surgical team led by Prof. Dr. Irshad Malik (HOD ENT Unit 1, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore), with the valuable assistance of Brig. Dr. Shehzad, along with the support of his colleagues, diligent paramedical staff, and hospital administration. Special gratitude to Prof. Asghar Naqi, Principal AIMC, for his invaluable leadership in facilitating this achievement.
This historic moment marks the beginning of a dedicated cochlear implant program, promising to bring the gift of hearing to many more patients in the future. INSHA’ALLAH, Jinnah Hospital will continue to expand its services, ensuring accessible and advanced treatments for individuals with hearing impairments.