Goaso, (A/R), Nov. 20, GNA – Kokrokoo Charities Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, has presented two incubators valued at US$20,000 to the Goaso Government Hospital in the Ahafo Region.
The machines would help control neonatal deaths, which the hospital authorities said remained a huge challenge.
Dr James Ankomah, the Medical Director of the Hospital, said the region recorded 22 neonatal deaths in 2019 and 12 in 2020 and expressed the hope with the machines the deaths would be brought under the barest minimum.
Speaking at a short ceremony held at Goaso, Dr Ankomah said about 40 per cent of infant deaths recorded at the facility were due to prematurity, indicating that most of the premature babies suffered from jaundice.
Dr Ankomah, therefore, appealed for photo-therapy machines and monitors.
Nana Yaw Kesse, the Chief Editor of Peace FM, an Accra-based radio station, and a native of the area, who made the presentation on behalf of the Foundation, expressed the hope the hospital would provide good care and maintain the machines.
So far, he added, the Foundation had distributed 33 incubators nationwide and assured it would continue to provide the machines to deprived health facilities to protect premature babies and improve child health in the country.
Nana Kwasi Bosomprah, the Paramount Chief of Goaso Traditional Area, advised pregnant women to attend ante-natal clinics regularly to protect their unborn babies.
He also cautioned pregnant women against unhealthy lifestyles, such as alcoholism and smoking and advised them to eat a balanced diet and have enough rest.
Nana Bosomprah noted stress, fatigue and depression, partly contributed to prematurity and asked husbands to support their pregnant wives in the upkeep of the family.
GNA