MTN donates incubator to KNUST hospital

MTN Ghana Foundation last week Friday presented an incubator to the Neo Natal Intensive Unit (NICU) of KNUST hospital.

The equipment worth twelve thousand Ghana Cedis (¢12,500) was presented to the health authorities at a brief ceremony.

This follows earlier donations of an incubator to the Atibie Government Hospital in Kwahu, the provision of medical equipment to the Kotokuom and Wassa Dunkwa Health Centers as well as the refurbishment of the maternity block of the Effia Nkwanta Government Hospital in Takoradi.

MTN Ghana Foundation’s support to the KNUST hospital is in line with the Foundation’s vision of enriching the lives of communities in which MTN operates.

Presenting the incubator, MTN Ghana Foundation Board Member, Prof. Jacob Plange-Rhule, said MTN Ghana Foundation is very pleased to be part of such a noble cause to help save ill or premature new born infants.

He said “we consider this support very crucial considering the fact that the KNUST Hospital is the second largest in the Ashanti Region with a Neonatal unit and may be receiving referrals from the neighboring communities and surrounding health posts. We believe this intervention will help save the lives of many babies who need it for their survival and who will grow up to be future leaders of this great nation”.

Professor Plange-Rhule urged the KNUST Hospital authorities to ensure the proper maintenance of the equipment in order to prolong the life span of the incubator.

Receiving the incubator on behalf of the hospital, the Medical Director, Dr. Yaw Bio, thanked MTN for the kind gesture saying it has come at an opportune time.

He said the Neo Natal Unit registered about 1,500 births last year and previously referred cases to the Komfo Anokye Hospital.

He said with the increasing number of cases the hospital is now recording, the incubator would improve health care delivery in the Neo Natal Unit.

He used the occasion to solicit for continuous support in other areas of the hospital.

Since its establishment in 2007, the MTN Ghana Foundation has invested about 6.8 million cedis into community development projects.

Other health projects implemented included support to the Korle Bu Maternity Block, the Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital and the Kpedze Health Center.

Economic empowerment is a new focus that has been recently introduced by the Foundation.