The Nkosuohene of Kwahu Nkwatia, also the Founder of Kabaka Foundation Nana Owiredu Wadie I, has constructed and handed over a multipurpose Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) complex to the Eastern Regional Health Directorate.
The newly constructed NICU Unit is fully furnished with modern NICU devices with various offices for midwifery nurses and spacious children wards as well as preterm babies units.
This forms part of the vision and aspirations of Nana Owiredu Wadie I to partner the Ghana Health Service to wage fight against stillbirth in a more holistic manner.
Addressing the gathering in Koforidua Central Hospital during the handling over ceremony on Thursday September 28, 2023 which coincided with his birthday, Nana Owiredu Wadie I said “when it came to my attention in last 2022 that 31 infants per every 1,000 life birth die in Ghana due to the inadequate modern facilities for children I became very worried and it was major concern to me so I decided to collaborate with the Ghana Health Service in the Eastern region to tackle this dilemma in a more holistic approach and by the grace of God we are here to mark the handing of the NICU Unit I promised to build for this hospital”.
“As today also mark my birthday and being the founder of Kabaka Foundation we will continue our charity work therefore we will take care and pay the bills of all mothers at the Children ward who have difficulty paying their bill”, he added.
Nana Owiredu Wadie however asked that the newly constructed NICU in the Eastern Regional hospital be named after Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III, the Omanhene of New Juaben Traditional Area.
Representing the Director General of Ghana Health Service was Dr. Ebo Hammond, who is the Director of Health Administration and Support Services-GHS, and he commended Nana Owiredu Wadie I for his collaboration with the Ghana Health Service to put up an edifice for vulnerable children in the Eastern Region.
Dr. Ebo Hammond additionally highlighted the importance of NICU in every hospital to saving lives of vulnerable children.
“In our society the birth of a child is a joyous occasion and every child deserve the best possible start in life but unfortunately not all new borns comes into this world under the birth circumstances some may face challenges and requires special care and attention”, he stated.
He also said; “According to the United Nations Children’s Fund, the first 28 days of life (Neonatal period) is the most vulnerable time for any child to survive , in Ghana the average Institutional Neonatal Mortality in 2022, 6.5 children born out of every 1000 life birth will die.”
“This has translated as an 8.5 reduction over that of 2021 the good news is that in 2021 we had 7.1 children died but last year we reduced it to 6.5, even though Ghana has made strives in reducing neonatal deaths over the last decade we are a shade behind the National target of 5 deaths”, he emphasized.
He further stated; “The Eastern Region has an institutional neonatal on mortality and out of every 1000 life births, 78 children die and this is above the national target.”
The Eastern Regional Director of Health, Dr. Winfred Ofosu also said having a modern NICU for the first time in a Regional hospital will improve access to newborn care, therefore mothers and families will not have to go through difficulties of transporting preterm babies over long distances to Korle-bu or Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
He noted that having the unit will save newborns and reduce maternal deaths.
Source: Michael Akrofi/Peace News
| Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
Featured Video
