Mining firms operating in forest reserves are collaborating to improve neonatal and maternal healthcare in their catchment areas.

In partnership with state institutions like the Forestry Commission, Environmental Protection Agency and the Minerals Commission, deprived health facilities in Western North region are being resourced to help improve newborn and maternal care.

Under the multi-stakeholder engagement, the Liaison Group is investing in community development initiatives.

The mining firms, aside from the payment of statutory royalties, also undertake corporate social responsibility programmes in their catchment areas.

They also allocate 0.5 percent of gold sold to support communities through activities of the Liaison Group.

The group on Tuesday donated equipment to improve newborn and maternal care at the Bibiani District and Sefwi Wiawso Municipal Hospitals. Contributions  from Kinross Chirano Goldmines Limited, represented by its General Manager, George  Nutor made the donation possible.

They include  incubators, Phototherapy and Suction machines,  Nebulizers, Pulse Oximeter and HB Machine at a cost of GHC 360,000. Others include  delivery bed, BP Aparatus, among others.

The Bibiani District Hospital, until now, had two of its three incubators broken down, while the only one left was under-performing.

The facility, which serves the Ahafo, Western North, Ashanti and Central regions also struggle for space.

Elated Medical Superintendent, Dr. Akwasi Adu Gyamfi commended the Liaison Group for the support extended to the facility, including assistance extended in 2020.

He also appealed to the group to consider helping to provide a befitting Maternity Center for the facility since it current NICU lacks space.

“Maternal care and new born care in Bibiani District Hospital is  one of the best.

We’ve gone almost 3-years without any maternal death. Our biggest challenge is space for maternal and newborn care. We kindly pray for that. Just consider us.”

At the Wiawso Municipal Hospital which also serves as the Western North Regional Hospital, Dr. Jonathan Mensah was elated over the gesture.

The facility admits 20 newborns everyday but lacks space and equipment, forcing it to refer many of the neonates to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

But with the donation, the situation will change.

Dr. Mensah, however, prays for the completion of the Mother Unit which is under construction.

“We have Neonatal Intensive Care Unit(NICU),  a very small one which is not big enough  and its always full.

And also we don’t have incubators. I will say we have one and half because one is not fully  functioning and one is functioning,” he said.

“So when these items came, in fact we were very happy. I had even wanted to use it immediately upon arrival and we were told to hang on so they commission it

So with this, we can admit more kids; it will go a long way to help,” he added.

Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Dr. Henry Kwabena Kokofu underscored the importance of the gesture.

“Neonatal and maternal healthcare is very critical in the health of our nation, as well as the economy of the country. There is no reason why an expectant mother should suffer mortality when simple equipment could make a difference between saving a life and losing it. Our babies are born to live, no matter how they emerge on this earth.”

He continued, “Today, the LG has offered to support this facility with a numbe of equipment to support the provision of improved neonatal and maternal healthcare in the municipality.”

Meanwhile, the Liaison Group has  provided beneficiary communities with markets, CHPS Compounds, Community centers, among others.