We have tested the hearing of 7,397,559 children (and counting)! It is an absolute world record! One can say that our screening tests can serve as a birth census in public hospitals in Poland because, since the launch of the programme in 2002, we have successfully tested the hearing of nearly all newborns in the country!
Thanks to the Nationwide Programme for Newborn Hearing Screening, we can now say that almost every child born in Poland is tested to detect hearing defects. It is essential to diagnose such impairments as early as possible to treat the child or prevent severe hearing loss. Moreover, the test is painless and is performed in the first days of a child's life.
The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity took up the challenge of implementing this nationwide program in 2002. In a continuous effort to improve the health of children born in Poland, the GOCC Foundation has not only introduced the tests, provided the equipment, and trained the personnel, but also helped establish and equip 374 facilities that run the tests and helped to establish and equip 96 medical facilities where children with hearing defects can be further treated.
Our databases receive nearly one thousand test results from clinics across the country every day.
Last weekend we managed to complete a project that we have been working on together with the Polish community living in Scotland for several years. The GOCC Foundation has its own tartan! On Sunday, during a special visit to Scotland, Jerzy Owsiak received a brand new kilt.
