The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in-charge at Dormaa Ahenkro Presbyterian Hospital, Madam Anna Pokuaa, has appealed to philanthropists and compassionate Ghanaians to assist the hospital by providing incubators to offer life support for preterm or premature infants.
During an interview with GIFTs News at a ceremony celebrating the transition of preterm babies to term status, serving as an encouragement to the infants and their parents, Madam Anna Pokuaa highlighted the current challenges faced by the NICU, particularly the insufficient number of incubators. She emphasized the critical need for additional incubators to deliver optimal care to premature and critically ill newborns, ensuring precise temperature regulation and a stable environment.
Madam Pokuaa noted that approximately 50% of the facility’s annual admissions are preterm infants, necessitating frequent use of incubators. Consequently, some of the twelve incubators have been damaged, leaving only five to seven in good working condition.
She underscored that acquiring more incubators would enable the hospital to better meet the needs of these vulnerable infants, thereby enhancing their chances of survival and facilitating a more comprehensive and efficient healthcare service.
Mad. Anna Pokuaa explained the purpose of this graduation ceremony for preterm infants, highlighting that the event scheduled for November 17th every year aims to celebrate the transition of premature babies from a premature state to a mature state. This celebration serves to inspire both the infants and their parents towards a healthy life transformation and that more than seventy preterm infants and their mothers were recognized and celebrated during this occasion.
Dr. Harry Acquah, a paediatrician at the Ansuah Ababio Paediatric Center within the Dormaa Ahenkro Presbyterian Hospital, elaborated on the concept and health support provided to preterm infants. He stated that the health conditions of preterm infants are meticulously monitored by the hospital to ensure they reach the full term of 40 weeks (9 months). Additionally, they receive extended care for approximately three to six months to prevent any complications before being discharged. Dr. Acquah emphasized that parents are urged to promptly report to the hospital if they notice anything unusual about their baby or babies, in order to receive immediate care and attention.
Story By: Kwaku Mensah Abrampa (Dormaa Ahenkro)
