The Regional Hospital in Bolgatanga has received a donation of three new incubators worth 20,000 US Dollars from the United Kingdom branch of the Union of citizens from Bolgatanga, Nabdam, Bongo and Tongo christened BONABOTO.
The equipment which include Bubble CPAP(Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), Oxygen Concentrations, Radiant Warmers, Laptop Computers, Glucometers and Monitors are expected to be utilized by the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital.
The donation comes at a time the unit identified to provide delicate health management to preterm babies is running on only two fully functional incubators.
The situation over the period has affected quality health care delivery to new born babies with complications and led to congestion among helpless mothers and vulnerable babies who are unable to practice what health experts describe as the Kangaroo Mother Care.
Speaking at a short ceremony to hand over the equipment to the hospital authorities, Representative and Former Secretary of BONABOTO -UK, David Atugiya said the donation is aimed at reducing the new-born deaths in the region and “to help the hardworking and highly skilled staff do their work efficiently and effectively and save as many lives as possible in the process.”
He noted that “new born deaths account for 46 percent of all deaths among children under the age of 5. Premature birth is a leading cause of newborn death, with one in seven babies born before 37 weeks of gestation. It is twice in the Upper east region. This is due to poverty, distance from a health facility and inadequate awareness of pregnancy challenges also contribute to continued newborn mortality.”
Deputy Regional Director of Health Services in Charge of Clinical Care, Dr Abdul Razak Dokurugu expressed deep appreciation to BONABOTO, especially the UK branch for their immense contribution to healthcare delivery in the region. He assured that the Directorate will continue to collaborate with the Association in delivering its mandate to the people of the Upper East region.
“We cannot talk of improving newborn care without the critical role incubators play. So this donation comes to us as one of the strategies we want to use to improve newborn care. I must say that, we are very much elated and we promise that whatever we receive from our collaborators will be put to use for the benefit of the masses, ” Dr. Dokurugu said.
