MIRI: The Miri City Cochlear Implant Society (MCCIS) has assisted bilateral cochlear implant surgeries for five children and an auditory brainstem implant surgery for another, with costs exceeding half a million ringgit since its establishment in 2014.
MCCIS deputy chairman Dr Jack Wong Siew Yu said the society has also implemented a newborn hearing screening programme in Limbang since 2019, screening 350 babies annually for early detection of hearing issues.
“”MCCIS is an organisation founded with the noble mission of raising funds to cover the cost of cochlear implants for children with congenital hearing problems.
“This problem, if not detected early, can interfere with their speech and language development.
“The society has successfully raised funds to assist children with congenital hearing loss in undergoing cochlear implant surgeries, which are critical for language and communication development,” he said when representing MCCIS chairman Datuk Sebastian Ting here today (Dec 21).
He said this during a press conference organised by Borneo Medical Centre (BMC) Miri to spotlight efforts to help Rhea Moh, an 11-month-old baby girl born with congenital hearing loss.
Rhea, who requires cochlear implant surgery before the age of two, is the latest beneficiary of MCCIS’ assistance.
While her family managed to raise part of the required funds, MCCIS completed the remaining RM86,559 within a week through public donations.
BMC Miri, as the main partner, has provided the venue for the surgery, which is scheduled for today (December 22).
BMC Miri managing director Dr Kenny Yeap said the initiative demonstrates the private sector’s commitment to corporate social responsibility by helping the local community.
With continued financial aid and social support, Rhea now has the opportunity for a brighter future, proving that every noble effort can transform a life.
Also present were BMC Miri chairman Dr Matthew Kho, BMC Miri managing director Dr Kenny Yeap, and ENT specialist Dr Doris Evelyn Jong.
