The Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Mr. Henry Kwabena Kokofu, has stated that neonatal and maternal healthcare is very critical in the health and economy of Ghana.
According to him, there is no reason why an expectant mother should suffer mortality when simple equipment could make a difference between saving a life and losing it. “Our babies are born to live, no matter how they emerge onto this earth.”
Mr. Kokofu made these pronouncements when the Liaison Group (L.G), a multi-stakeholder body of institutions responsible for the proper sustainable management of mining operations within Forest Reserve in Ghana donated neonatal healthcare equipment worth GH¢180,000 to Sefwi Wiawso Government Hospital and Bibiani Government Hospital in the Western North Region of Ghana.
The GH¢180,000 worth donation include 3-crank fowler hospital beds, 2 wheelchairs, bedside lockers (2), treatment trolleys (4), infant swaddling table (1), Ambubag (Adult) (2), Ambubag infant (1), foetal doppler (1), nebuliser digital BP apparatus (3), baby weighing scale (2), HB machine (4), 2 autoclave machines (24L), 2 infants phototherapy lights, among other gadgets.
The LG comprises Forestry Commission, Forest Service Division, Minerals Commission, Water Resource Commission, Geological Service Authority, Chamber of Mines and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
According to the EPA CEO, these items would go a long way to further improve the delivery of one of the most delicate aspects of health services delivery – being maternal and neonatal health care – in the municipality and beyond.
Mr. Kokofu disclosed that the LG has contributed to providing several amenities to many communities within the aforementioned areas, these include classroom blocks, CHPS compounds, palaces, markets, community centres, and furnishing of some classroom blocks and health facilities as a prime example.
He, however, told workers of the two facilities that the LG looks forward to seeing those set of equipment put to judicious use to benefit the larger population.
On his part, the Vice President and General Manager of Chirano Gold Mines, George Nutor, noted that the neonatal and maternal gadgets would go a long way to support the effort to bring the needed development to their people, and thereby making them realise the direct benefit of contribution from royalties from contribution paid by the mining company.
Dr. Jonathan Mensah, the Medical Superintendent at the facility expressed his profound appreciation to the LG for having come to their aid, and said they were so grateful for the gesture – which include incubators, phototherapy, furniture, BP apparatus, surgical bed, among other gadgets.
Dr. Kwasi Adu-Gyamfi, the Medical Superintendent of Bibiani Municipal Government Hospital, appealed to government to assist them put up a new Mother and Baby Unit since what they have is woefully small.
