Small Business Owners Benefit from a Hearing Conservation Programme in Machakos, Kenya

Hearing Conservation Programme targeting the Micro and Small Industrial workers (Jua Kali Artisans) goes to Machakos County 20th to 24th May 2013 at Grogon area, Masaku Jua Kali Association The Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) in collaboration with the Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali associations (KNFJKA) has partnered with Nairobi Ear Nose and Throat doctors to oversee the hearing conservation programme aimed at improving the lives of potential retirees and workers within the Jua Kali sector The programme will sensitize the Jua Kali metal workers on hearing conservation, ear cleaning services and provision of hearing aids for use within their working environment. Jua Kali workers are a risk of noise induced hearing loss resulting from exposure to excessive noise at their work places. Furthermore, these workers are largely ignorant of the potential damage to hearing that can occur from excessive noise. They then retire into misery with damaged hearing leading to difficulty in communication and most likely do not have a pension plan. The RBA will carry out this project and also sensitize the 1000 Jua Kali workers on the need to save for their retirement through various channels. This will include the MBAO PENSION PLAN which is affordable and remitted using the MPESA platform. This is the fifth ENT clinic after Kamukunji, Kisumu, Mombasa and Kakamega The opening ceremony for the above clinic was performed on behalf of the Governor of Machakos by the Machakos County Minister for Transport, Roads, Public Works and Housing Mr. George Kioko Luka in the presence of the CEO of the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) Dr. Odundo, the Federations CEO Mr. Richard Muteti and other invited guests.