CEO of Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Dr Eric Ngyedu has disclosed that in the quest to provide better healthcare services to patients, they rely on support from NGOs and the private sector.

Dr Eric Ngyedu explained that inadequate facilities in the hospital could be attributed to the fact that government has to deal with competing demands by stakeholders in the healthcare system and other sectors. They therefore resort to NGOs and the private sector to supplement government's effort.

A study by Joy News’ Seth Kwame Boateng revealed that one in three babies sent to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital dies. Hospital officials blame the situation on limited space and lack of critical equipment.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show Tuesday, June 1, Dr Ngyedu said improving the conditions at the NICU is therefore a topmost priority of the hospital.

Thus, in order to speed up the process of improving facilities at the NICU, the hospital management focuses on support from NGOs and private sector organizations, rather than the Ministry of Health.

He said that the First Lady's Foundation, The Rebecca Foundation showed interest in building the NICU. "In fact, the First Lady has invited me to her office. At that time, she was very passionate about it," he said.

He added that proposals have also been sent to organizations such as Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) to assist in revamping the NICU.

The CCTH CEO said although the NICU facility used to received a lot of attention, it has dwindled since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.