Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Starkey Hearing Foundation to Advance Hearing-Health Services
Port of Spain, June 13, 2026: The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago today entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Starkey Hearing Foundation (SHF), formalising a partnership aimed at strengthening hearing-health services in Trinidad and Tobago and expanding opportunities for technical cooperation in the Caribbean.
The MOU was signed at the Parliamentary Complex by the Honourable Dr. Lackram Bodoe, Minister of Health, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and Mr. Richard S. Brown, President and Board Chair of the Starkey Hearing Foundation.
Also present were Senator the Honourable John Jeremie, S.C., Attorney General; the Honourable Sean Sobers, MP, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs; the Honourable Vandana Mohit, MP, Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services; the Honourable Dr. Rishard Seecheran, MP, Minister in the Ministry of Health; Ms. Erica Fortune, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health; and Mr. David Constant, Health Partnerships Adviser, Ministry of Health.
The Starkey Hearing Foundation is a United States-based charitable organisation and the philanthropic arm of Starkey, one of the world’s leading hearing-aid manufacturers. The Foundation works internationally to improve access to hearing healthcare through training, hearing screening, hearing technology, and sustainable community-based models of care.
The MOU establishes a framework for cooperation in areas including hearing-health screening, training and capacity-building, technical support, community outreach, and improved access to hearing-assistive technology. The partnership is also expected to create opportunities for greater regional collaboration in hearing-health training and technical cooperation.
Minister of Health, Dr Lackram Bodoe, described the signing as an important step toward strengthening hearing-health services and improving support for persons living with hearing impairment. He noted that the partnership presents an opportunity to build local capacity, improve access to care for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, and strengthen early support and intervention, particularly for children.
Mr. Richard S. Brown, President and Board Chair of the Starkey Hearing Foundation, welcomed the partnership and reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to supporting sustainable hearing-health initiatives through technical cooperation, training, and community-based approaches to care. He also expressed interest in working with Trinidad and Tobago to explore opportunities for broader regional cooperation in hearing-health services and training across the Caribbean.
Approximately 8,000 persons in Trinidad and Tobago are estimated to be deaf or hard of hearing, underscoring the importance of continued investment in hearing-health services, accessibility, early intervention, and long-term support.
The Ministry of Health will continue to engage relevant Ministries, stakeholders and service providers to ensure that activities undertaken through this partnership complement and strengthen existing national systems and services.
Captions:
Photo 1 and Photo 2: The Honourable Dr. Lackram Bodoe, Minister of Health shakes hands with Mr. Richard S. Brown, President and Board Chair of the Starkey Hearing Foundation in the presence of the Honourable Sean Sobers, MP, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, the Honourable Dr. Rishard Seecheran, MP, Minister in the Ministry of Health and the Honourable Vandana Mohit, MP, Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services
Photo 3: The Honourable Dr. Lackram Bodoe, Minister of Health and Mr. Richard S. Brown, President and Board Chair of the Starkey Hearing Foundation, sign the Memorandum of Understanding.
Photo 4: The Honourable Dr. Lackram Bodoe, Minister of Health sits with Mr. Richard S. Brown, President and Board Chair of the Starkey Hearing Foundation in the presence of the Honourable Sean Sobers, MP, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, the Honourable Dr. Rishard Seecheran, MP, Minister in the Ministry of Health, the Honourable Vandana Mohit, MP, Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services and Mrs. Erica Fortune, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health to the far left.
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