146 children to get financial aid for cochlear implant

At least 146 under privileged children, under five years of age, with speech and hearing disability will get financial aid for cochlear implant surgeries from Kanpur based Artificial Limbs and Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO).
ALIMCO chairman cum managing director (CMD) DR Sareen told PTI today that it had raised Rs 10 crore from public sector units (PSU) under corporate social responsibility (CSR) to fund these surgeries.
He said the surgery will allow deaf children to hear through an electronic device implanted in the ear.
"Each surgery will cost around Rs 6 lakhs and will be conducted at Mumbai based Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped (AYJNIH)," he said. Sareen urged private companies to also donate for the cause under their CSR activities.

ALIMCO, an undertaking of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, started the initiative last year and till date 492 children have undergone the surgery, the CMD said.
The corporation has also undertaken awareness programmes in Kanpur and areas around the city.