Ghana Chapter of the YPO and personnel of Sunyani Regional Hospital
The Ghana chapter of the Young President Organisation (YPO) has set up an emergency paediatric unit to help prevent avoidable deaths as well as minimise the rising cases of child mortality at the Sunyani Regional Hospital.
YPO is a United States-based global leadership community of extraordinary chief executives, with more than 30,000 members from 142 countries.
The Ghana chapter also presented modern medical devices and equipment, valued US$100,000, to the unit. They include brand new patient monitors, infusion pumps, suction machines, hospital beds, several consumables, portable autoclaves, gun thermometers, examination lights, soap dispensers among others.
In addition, the chapter presented three incubators, two radiant warmers, baby courts and phototherapy machines to the Neonatal Intensive Unit (NICU) of the hospital.
Readiness
Mrs Emefa Awuah-Darko, the Spouse Partner Officer, Ghana Chapter of the YPO, expressed worry about the lack of modern medical devices and equipment in health facilities, saying that contributes to the rising cases of child mortality in the country.
To this end, she stressed the readiness of the chapter to make a significant impact towards preventing mortality and infant deaths in the country, adding that “the chapter intended to extend the gesture to other deprived regional hospitals”.
She also hoped that with the setting up of the unit and the medical devices, the child mortality rate would be reduced to the barest minimum.
Appreciation
The Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr Cardinal Newton, described the pediatric unit and items as mind boggling, and promised to ensure that they are used for the intended purpose and maintained as well.
He thanked YPO for the gesture, saying “we never thought this could be a reality”, and appealed to other organisations and corporate bodies to come to the aid of the hospital.
“Honestly, many of the medical devices and machines at the hospital were now obsolete, the facility was also going through serious financial stress. We appeal for support,” he said.
Dr Mrs Esinam Ama Nyarko, a pediatrician and the head of the Paediatric Unit of the hospital, also lamented that only one of the three incubators at the NICU was functioning.
“As a referral facility, child mortality remains high, but the unit has put in place interventions to control the situation. We have intensified public education in the airwaves and in the local communities on the need for pregnant women to attend regular antenatal and post-natal clinics so as to prevent childbirth complications,” she added.
She also appealed for a child friendly ambulance, indicating that many parents could not afford the cost of the ambulance when peculiar cases are referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi.
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