…as PML children hospital receives lifesaving equipment
By Juliet ETEFE
Efforts to strengthen neonatal healthcare infrastructure has received a boost as the Hungarian Embassy, IPMC, and JA Health Hub, under the auspices of the Ga Mantse Foundation, presented neonatal equipment to the Princess Marie Louise (PML) children’s hospital in Accra.
The donation—comprising a Medicor Babylife KA-145LT tunnel phototherapy machine and a BLF-2001 G infant incubator—is aimed at supporting the treatment of neonatal jaundice and other newborn complications, which continue to contribute significantly to infant morbidity and mortality in the country.
The event brought together medical professionals, traditional leaders, diplomats, religious figures, and corporate partners to reflect on the state of neonatal healthcare and explore solutions to improve newborn survival and well-being.
In his opening remarks, His Royal Majesty, Ga Mantse Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, underscored the importance of improving pediatric infrastructure across the country.
He noted that PML Hospital, the specialised children’s hospital, has served the nation for nearly nine decades but is now overwhelmed and under-resourced.
He called for collective action to provide state-of-the-art facilities that ensure every newborn receives quality care.
“Healthcare, especially pediatric care in Ghana, faces major challenges. Today’s initiative will enhance the capacity of our institutions and contribute greatly to community development,” he said, further announcing his pledge to allocate land for a new pediatric hospital to ease the burden on PML.
In a speech, Hungarian Ambassador to Ghana, Tamás Fehér, highlighted Hungary’s long legacy of medical innovation.
He also announced another donation, four state-of-the-art medical appliances, thus three tunnel phototherapy machines, and one infant incubator to the Princess Mary’s Children’s Hospital and the Upper East Regional Hospital.
“These advanced phototherapy and incubator units from Medicor represent more than technology; they are a commitment to safeguarding newborn lives,” Ambassador Fehér said.
Beyond technology, he emphasised the value of knowledge transfer, noting that prior to the event, Ghanaian medical professionals had undergone training at the Hungarian Embassy to enhance their expertise in neonatal care.
Rev. Father Andrew Campbell, Chairman of the PML Advisory Board, described the donations as a blessing.
“I have watched too many children suffer and too many parents grieve at this hospital. This gift is a beautiful one, especially as PML approaches its hundredth anniversary,” he stated.
The event also served as a rallying call for stakeholders—healthcare professionals, policymakers, corporate bodies, and community leaders—to invest in neonatal care infrastructure and policy reforms.
Presenting on the causes and prevention of neonatal challenges in newborns, Dr. Maame Yaa Nyarko, a pediatric specialist at PML shared real-life cases of infants affected by jaundice.
She highlighted both preventable deaths and long-term complications such as cerebral palsy and brain damage when jaundice is not treated promptly.
“Six out of every ten newborns at PML are diagnosed with neonatal jaundice, and many suffer long-term effects due to delayed intervention,” she said.
She therefore stressed the need for early detection, adequate phototherapy infrastructure, and continuous public awareness.
The initiative reflects the growing momentum toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 — ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.
