By Ewoenam Kpodo
Aflao (VR), Nov 21, GNA – The Ketu South Municipal Hospital (KSMH) has celebrated the graduation of some 20 ex-preterm children from its refurnished and expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
The NICU, a specialised department of the hospital providing critical care to newborn babies, particularly those born prematurely, ill or requiring specialised medical attention, had
admitted over 600 babies from when it was commissioned in May 2023 to date, out of which 190 were preterm babies (preemies).
It was disclosed that one of the graduating ex-preterm children who was as low as 1KG when he was delivered at seven months instead of the expected nine months, is now eight months old and weighs 7.5KG and very active.
When born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, a baby is considered to be premature or preterm and may miss out on important developments in the womb as the final months and weeks of pregnancy are crucial for the baby’s development, especially for the brain, lungs, and liver, thus, may face higher rates of death and disability.
Dr Alphonse Makafui Dzakpasu, Medical Superintendent of KSMH, speaking on the occasion indicated that there had been a significant improvement in the survival rate of babies as well as preemies within the period, emphasising the significance of investing in quality healthcare delivery.
“The survival rate of babies at our NICU is at 96.1 percent and the survival rate of our preemies is at 96.3 percent. This has seen an improvement from 89 percent after we moved to our refurbished and expanded NICU. The preterm’s survival rate is synonymous to the internationally documented survival rate according to baby’s gestational age.
The graduation of these children and the survival rate is evidence of what equipping our hospitals with the right resources and the effort of our committed staff can achieve. A good investment in health will go a long way to help us achieve universal health coverage by 2030 as estimated,” he said.
The graduation Tuesday formed part of programmes outlined for the commissioning of a paediatric emergency unit at the KSMH built by Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Member of Parliament for Ketu South to provide immediate and critical care for children up to 12 years.
Dr Dzakpasu was grateful for the new facility which he deemed a timely addition to the hospital as they sought to expand their scope of services and improve the wellbeing of the people within their catchment area including clients from neighbouring Togo, Benin and even Nigeria as well as other parts of the Volta Region and Ghana as a whole, owing to the trade nature of the Ghana-Togo Border.
“With the construction and commissioning of the paediatric emergency unit, the hospital’s commitment to quality care for maternal, newborn and children will notice a significant improvement.”
“To the People of Ketu South Municipality and all our clients, I urge you to make the most of this facility while continuing to partner with us to safeguard the health of our children,” he called.
Madam Gomashie said she was committed to improving the lives of the human capital in Ketu South and one of the best ways to do that was through impacting the general wellbeing of the people hence, her investment in the health sector.
She reminded her constituents that “Health is wealth” and advised them to seek medical attention when unwell.
Dr Chrysantus Kubio, Volta Regional Director of Health Service urged the staff who would work in the unit to consider it as being entrusted with a critical responsibility and, uphold the principles of professionalism, empathy and dedication while delivering care to the children.
Some parents of the ex-preterm children who spoke to Ghana News Agency expressed profound gratitude to the staff and management of the hospital for giving the critical care needed for their babies to thrive.
The event chaired by Torgbui Akoto V, Divisional Chief of Aflao Huimegah had personalities from neighbouring facilities including Dr Kwasi Asare-Bediako, Medical Director of private-owned King’s Hands Hospital, and Dr Kofi Karikari Bonsu, Medical Superintendent of Keta Municipal Hospital, among other dignitaries in attendance.
November is recognised as Prematurity Awareness Month, an initiative to raise awareness about preterm birth.
While preventing preterm birth remains a challenge, pregnant women can take steps to reduce their risk, including quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol and drugs, getting prenatal care early and throughout pregnancy, and seeking medical attention for any signs or symptoms of preterm labour.
GNA