Africa Health Supplies (AHS) Limited has donated two Firefly Phototherapy Equipment, one Colibri Phototherapy Equipment, and a cash amount of ¢5,000 to the Paediatric Society of Ghana (PSG) in Accra.

The donation was to support the society's activities to commemorate and celebrate the annual Newborn Jaundice Awareness Month (The Yellow Month), which falls in May.

This is aimed at promoting awareness creation on newborn jaundice (Neonatal Jaundice).

AHS also made donations of the Firefly Phototherapy Equipment to hospitals across the length and breadth of the country.

Neonatal jaundice, which is a serious medical condition of the liver that causes the yellowing of the eyes and skin of a newborn baby, is increasing in Ghana.

It is common in preterm babies due to an immature liver, however, some infections, medication or blood disorders may also cause more serious cases.

AHS had initially signed an with the Paediatric Society of Ghana to cooperate and collaborate in activities to create awareness of neonatal jaundice and treatment using Firefly phototherapy equipment.

The MoU is also to work in tandem with relevant stakeholders, including the Health Ministry, Ghana Health Service, chiefs, queen mothers, caregivers, health facility managers and other professionals in the health care space to educate and recommend applicable treatment options in dealing with neonatal jaundice.

At a short ceremony to present the equipment, Albert Ankrah, the CEO of AHS, noted there is a need for local companies to support the country’s health sector to uplift its standards.

He said the Firefly phototherapy and Colibri equipment was a very familiar brand to paediatricians who rated its effectiveness and efficiency standards as great.

Mr Ankrah appealed to government to support local companies like AHS to help eliminate avoidable diseases that citizens battle with and yet to born babies will encounter.

Receiving the equipment, Dr Charlyne Fatima Kilba, National Treasurer of PSG thanked Africa Health Supplies for the gesture.

She assured that the equipment would be used for its intended purpose and well maintained to ensure a longer life span.

Professional groups including the Ghana Medical Association, Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association, Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists at a recent stakeholder meeting organised by the PSG as part of awareness creation on newborn jaundice agreed that although neonatal jaundice was an important cause of brain damage, physical and mental handicaps (cerebral Pals. W.2ws/s2/ - y) and early death among infants in many communities in Ghana, knew little about the burden as well as the risk factors.

The stakeholders called for intensified education on the benefits of early initiation of breastfeeding of infants, especially minutes after birth, which studies had shown, could reduce and prevent complications that may result from neonatal jaundice and commended the PSG for leading the national neonatal jaundice awareness crusade.