By Edzorna Francis Mensah
MTN Ghana Foundation has commissioned and handed over ₵15 Million 60-bed maternity and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) complex to the Keta Government Hospital.
The state-of-the-art complex is equipped with modern facilities, advanced medical equipment, and expert staff to provide comprehensive care to expectant mothers and newborns in and around Keta Municipality.
The project comprises a 40-bed maternity ward made up of emergency rooms, a first-stage ward, a delivery ward and 20-bed Neonatal Care Unit (NICU), including two operating theatres, a 20-bed hostel for mothers, two consulting rooms and offices for nurses, reception and outpatient department areas, a laboratory and dispensary, and a scrub and sluice room.
The rest are: the anaesthesia room, the intensive care ward, the restroom for doctors and nurses, and the staff eatery.
Speaking at the ceremony, the CEO of MTN Ghana, Selorm Adadevoh, emphasised the company’s dedication to supporting initiatives that have a lasting impact on communities.
According to him, “the MTN Ghana Foundation is proud to be part of this initiative that seeks to improve maternal and neonatal healthcare in the Volta Region. We believe that every mother and child deserve access to quality healthcare, and this facility will go a long way in saving lives and ensuring the well-being of our communities.”
Mr. Adeadevoh noted that, as part of their research and analysis, they noticed that they had not done any project in the Volta Region for several years and saw the need to spearhead a worthy project of this nature in the region, as he stated, “I am proud to also share that we have recently received approval for the expansion of the accident and emergency block of the Ho Teaching Hospital and work is expected to commence in June of 2024.”
Mr Adadevoh also noted that fundamental human rights and ensuring access to quality medical services for all Ghanaians, especially mothers, and newborns, remain a dream for many in the various communities.
“I am the son of two medical practitioners and have had the privilege of quality healthcare all my life. It is easy to forget the reality for the many others who have no access, even when they cannot afford it, and my heart skips a beat when I hear the sad stories of lost lives due to the deplorable nature of our medical facilities,” he noted.
The MP for the area, Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey, was grateful to MTN and said this monumental project, funded by the MTN Ghana Foundation, “marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to build maternal and child health outcomes in our beloved country.
The MTN Ghana Foundation has always been dedicated to making a positive impact in the communities we serve, and the construction of this new state-of-the-art 60-bed Maternity and NICU Complex exemplifies our unwavering commitment to this mission, with an investment of 15.2 million Ghana Cedis.”
He said the journey towards the realisation of this project began with the symbolic sod-cutting ceremony on December 20th, 2022.
Since then, tireless efforts and unwavering dedication have been poured into its construction, with the aim of completing it within 48 weeks, and Mr. Gakpey was delighted “to announce that our collective endeavours have borne fruit, and the project stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and determination. It is a sign of fulfilling corporate social responsibility.
We therefore express our gratitude to the MTN Foundation in the journey towards enhancing good healthcare delivery and maternal and child health outcomes in Keta and its environs.”.
The Awormefia of Anlo, Torgbui Sri, for his part, commended the MTN Foundation for the great work done by making sure that mothers in Keta, Anloga, and beyond can deliver in a very safe ward devoid of any fatalities.
Torgbui Sri urged the staff and patients to adopt the culture of maintenance to help prolong the lifespan of the facility.
Keta Municipal Health Director, Emmanuel Kona, praised the collaboration between the MTN Ghana Foundation and the Ghana Health Service, describing it as a model partnership for public-private initiatives in healthcare.
He noted, “This facility represents a significant investment in the health of our mothers and children. It is a testament to what can be achieved when the private sector joins hands with the government to address healthcare challenges.”
Keta Municipal Chief Executive, Emmanuel Gemegah, was happy for the facility and hopes that it will serve its purpose and help save the lives of newborns and their mothers in the municipality and beyond.
