The First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo has cut sod for the construction of a new Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

The much-needed facility will help doctors and other hospital staff avert infant deaths, Chief Executive of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Felix Anyah said.

Speaking at a ceremony to cut sod for the commencement of the project, Mrs Akufo-Addo reiterated the importance of the facility and the difference it will make in the running of the hospital.

“We all expect our health staff to be professional and do their best and this is right but no matter how professional, experienced or dedicated they are, they cannot work without the right resources and that includes space and the right equipment. Hopefully, this unit will help our health professionals deliver quality healthcare to our children,” she said.

She added that the project will get the necessary financial support to strife from her foundation, the Rebecca Foundation.

“I am happy to say that good progress has been made with financial contribution by the Rebecca Foundation,” she said.

Mrs Akufo-Addo stated that like the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital’s Mother and Baby Unit, also funded by the Rebecca foundation, they intend to finish the project as quickly as possible.

“I am happy to cut the sod for the project…as a mother and grandmother, I feel strongly about this and we intend to finish the Pediatric Unit in record time,” she said.

The first lady through her Rebecca Foundation and in collaboration with Joy News helped to complete the Mother and Baby Unit at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), which had been abandoned for years.

“…we will apply the same technology used in KATH mother and baby unit. It will be highly energy efficient and have reduced operating cost,” she added.

The First Lady also entreated the management of Korle Bu to ensure that when completed, the facility is staffed with the requisite human resource to man it.

She added that the foundation intends to help in more infrastructural development in the country.

“We intend to do more,” she said.