The Effiduase Government Hospital in the Ashanti region has recorded two deaths out of 23 cases of pre-matured births at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between May and June this year alone.

The lack of space and critical maternal equipment like an incubator at the Unit are influencing child mortality and turning many mothers away from the hospital.

The Kokroko Charities Foundation assessing this need has provided the hospital with a modern incubator to mitigate the patient-baby plight and preterm baby survival.

The Effiduase Government Hospital sees over 430 pregnant women who seek antenatal care at the facility monthly.

However, only 100 babies are delivered at the end of the month.

This leaves a gap of over 300 pregnant women who either abandon care at the hospital or seek care at a more improved health facility.

Adding to the situation is the frequent incidents of preterm deliveries.

The hospital in just one month saw 23 premature deliveries, with 2 of the babies dying.

According to the Sekyere East District Health Director, Dr Ofori Amoah, the situation is as a result of limited space and limited quality health care at the hospital.

“The hospital block is over 47 years old. And there's stress on it by the intake. There's a need to expand it. We expect that all 439 pregnant women will come and deliver here but we don't get that. Which means they are using the traditional means of birthing or seeking a better place. And this hospital doesn't serve only Effiduase. Many communities join us,” he said.

The district health director spoke while appreciating the donation of an incubator by Kokroko Charities.

The team, led by veteran journalist Kwame Sefa Kayi has provided the Pediatric Unit of the Effiduase Government Hospital with an incubator valued at $10,000 to cater for premature and neonatal babies at the hospital.

The intervention adds up to sixty incubators donated to deprived hospitals across the country by the Charity Foundation.

Founder of Kokrokoo Charities Foundation, Kwami Sefa Kayi indicated that a needs assessment revealed the detrimental state of the situation, enforcing the intervention.

He highlighted the success stories of the foundation in improving child health care.

“We received photos, videos and text messages of the impact of this project. Twins who have been beneficiaries at Ho Teaching hospital for the 55th donation, were five years old the time we went back.

“We do assessments and decide whether they have the expertise to operate these machines, their traffic and the critical need for them. And that was the case in Effiduase,” he said.