%20(1).jpg)
The world of inclusive development has experienced a transforming globalization, however, at the same time the number of stakeholders, level of involvement, and available support, has contracted across the globe.
CBM has been a Foundational Member of the WHF since 2018. From 2019 to 2023, Dr Diego Santana, CBM’s Senior global Ear & Hearing Care Advisor, co-chaired the WHF Working Group on the World Report on Hearing and the WHA Resolution. Since December 2023, he continues to represent CBM in the WHF “Changemakers” Working Group.
How does CBM’s WHF membership align with our EHC strategy and broader organizational goals?
CBM’s membership in the World Hearing Forum (WHF) strongly aligns with the Inclusive Health Initiative (IHI) strategy. The person-centred approach addresses the combined needs of individuals with sensory and physical impairments, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Through the WHF, CBM promotes its broader goals of inclusion, accessibility, and equity, aligning with global efforts like WHO PEN-PLUS, the World Rehabilitation Alliance, Universal Health Coverage, and the 2025 WHA78.7 Resolution on Integrated Care for Sensory Impairments.
CBM's contributions to the World Hearing Forum
- 1) World Hearing Day Observation
CBM has been an active champion of World Hearing Day (WHD), observed annually on 3rd March. As a WHF member, CBM continues to mark WHD with impactful activities reported to both WHO and WHF including gallery walks, poster displays, flyer distribution, ear checks, and staff hearing screenings. CBM also conducts trainings using its Ear and Hearing Care (EHC) module, drives awareness through social media and its website, and advocates for improved hearing health by sharing critical data with Ministries of Health.
- 2) External expertise support to WHO
CBM has supported the roll-out of WHO’s Primary Ear and Hearing Care training resources by providing technical input and recommendations to improve accessibility and usability. Using WHO’s manuals and community-level EHC tools, CBM has conducted multilingual training workshops across several countries: in 2023, in Guatemala (Spanish), Zimbabwe and Zambia (English with Sign Language interpretation); in 2024, in Tanzania (English, Swahili, and local Sign Languages), Kenya, and Nigeria (English); and in 2025, in Cameroon (English, French, and local Sign Languages).
- 3) Evidence generation in Ear and Hearing Care
CBM supported population-based surveys on ear diseases and hearing loss in Zambia, Ethiopia (nationwide) and Nepal (Karnali Province), providing funding and technical guidance using WHO’s Ear and Hearing Survey Handbook.
- 4) Advocacy for EHC at country and global levels
CBM has supported and contributed to the WHO in the dissemination of the World Report on Hearing and the Status report of Ear and Hearing care in the WHO Africa Region, across countries within CBM’s portfolio and during various regional and global forums.
- 5) 19Advocacy for WHA resolution on Ear and Hearing Care
CBM played an active role in advocacy efforts leading to the new WHA resolution on primary prevention and integrated care for sensory impairments across the life course. Key contributions included identifying lead Member States on the WHO Executive Board (2023), holding a WHA side event in 2024, supporting Slovakia in reviewing the zero-draft resolution, mobilizing support from WHO Member States, and holding a final side event at WHA 2025.
