In a significant boost to maternal and neonatal healthcare in the Volta Region, the MTN Ghana Foundation, in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service, inaugurated a Maternity and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) complex at the Keta Municipal Hospital.

The unveiling ceremony, held at the premises of the Keta Municipal Hospital, saw government officials, healthcare professionals, community and traditional leaders, and representatives from MTN Ghana Foundation gather to mark the milestone for improved healthcare in the region.

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.

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.

He stated, "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 deserves access to quality healthcare, and this facility will go a long way in saving lives and ensuring the well-being of our communities."

Selorm 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 in the region.

"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," Selorm Adadevoh said.

He noted that before these projects, the MTN Ghana Internal 10 foundation had renovated the general OPD and maternity ward of the Kpedze health centre and constructed a pipeline to provide potable water for the Kpeve Tongu community.

He noted that in the area of education, the foundation constructed a three-unit classroom block internally for the Akatsi D/A  Basic School, a 50-seater capacity library for the Tsito Senior Senior High School as well as a 30-seater ICT centre and library that was provided for the Abolove/Nolepe community among many other projects.

Mr Adadevoh also noted that fundamental human rights and ensuring access to quality medical services for all Ghanaians, especially mothers, and newborns, remains 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 and even when they do 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.

Mr Adadevoh said the motivation for the MTN Ghana Foundation to embark on this noble project is to make a tangible impact on the lives of the people of the Volta  Region, especially women, and children in the Keta community and the surrounding townships.

"We expect that our intervention with this project will help reduce Ghana’s neonatal mortality from the dire 22.8 deaths in every 1,000 live births, closer to the target set by the UN Sustainable Development Goals," he added.

The Maternity and NICU complex is designed to cater to the specific needs of mothers and newborns, providing a comfortable and safe environment for childbirth and postnatal care.

The facility can deliver critical care to premature or unwell newborns with specialised medical equipment, such as incubators, ventilators, and monitoring systems.

Keta Municipal Health Director, Emmanuel Kona, praised the collaboration between 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."

The Awormefia of Anlo, Torgbui Sri 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 no fatalities.

Torgbui Sri urged the staff and patients to adopt the culture of maintenance to help prolong the lifespan of the facility.

The inauguration of the Maternity and NICU complex at the Keta Municipal Hospital marks a significant step towards reducing maternal and neonatal mortality rates in the Volta Region.

It is hoped that this modern healthcare facility will not only save lives but also serve as a beacon of hope for communities in the region. Residents especially women expressed their gratitude for the new facility, recognising the positive impact it will have on the health and well-being of mothers and newborns.

As the doors of the new facility opened to welcome its first patients, there was a sense of optimism and pride among all those involved.

The MTN Ghana Foundation and the Ghana Health Service are committed to ensuring that the Maternity and NICU complex at the Keta Municipal Hospital continue to provide exceptional care and support to mothers and newborns for years to come.

Keta Municipal Chief Executive, Emmanuel Gemegah was grateful 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

''As we may know, democratic traditions are not devoid of disagreements and acrimony but, it is the desire to let go of these tendencies and forge forward together as one people that matters. We must always keep in mind that the well-being and prosperity of the majority of our people who may not be actively engaged in politics is what we must seek."

"It is when we achieve these goals that we can continue to undeniably have true pride in the democracy that we are practising," Mr Gemegah said.