More newborn babies are surviving and thriving in the North east and Savannah regions

Five newborn care centers have been commissioned by the Ghana Health Service with technical support from UNICEF and funding from China AID. The newborn care centers have been established in Walewale, Chereponi, Binde and Nalerigu in North east region and Salaga in the Savanna region.

This is part of the complete investment provided by China AID - $1 million – and will go a long way to strengthen the delivery of health care and ensure that the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic do not impose an additional strain to the already struggling system.

The North East region was newly created in 2019 and carved out from the previous Northern region. Before its creation, the then Northern region had some of the worst indicators for access to quality health and nutrition services.

Speaking at the commissioning of the newborn care center in Binde Hospital, the UNICEF Representative, Anne-Claire Dufay said, “UNICEF would like to thank the Government of the People’s Republic of China for their commitment to improve the lives and wellbeing of children in the North-East and Savannah regions through partnering with UNICEF to provide this essential newborn care equipment. Most maternal and newborn deaths are preventable.  We have seen how adequate investment in health care and treatment for newborns can significantly reduce the number of children who die in the country.”

Through this support assorted newborn care equipment including Kangaroo Mother Care chairs, radiant warmers, neonatal resuscitation tables, patient vital signs monitors, baby cots, oxygen concentrators, phototherapy machines, pulse-oximeters, electronic scales for weighing babies, bilirubinometer, haematocrit centrifuges, CPAP machines, heart rate monitors, nifty feeding cups and suction equipment have been provided and installed.

Health workers in the region have also been trained on the use and maintenance of the equipment.

The Northeast Regional Health Director, Dr. Abdulai Abukari said, “It’s a relief that four of our hospitals are now fully equipped with newborn care centers. Previously, when compilations develop during or after childbirth, the babies have to be referred to Tamale, which is over 5 hours away (over 300 kilometers), usually resulting in exacerbating the issues or causing death. Today, this has all changed. The health staff are also highly motivated with the training they have received to ensure that the quality of health care in the region is improved.”

Thanks to this, over 115,000 children under five years and more than 23,000 pregnant women and their newborns will receive timely health care delivery.

Five newborn care centers have been commissioned by the Ghana Health Service with technical support from UNICEF and funding from China AID. The newborn care centers have been established in Walewale, Chereponi, Binde and Nalerigu in North east region and Salaga in the Savanna region.

This is part of the complete investment provided by China AID - $1 million – and will go a long way to strengthen the delivery of health care and ensure that the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic do not impose an additional strain to the already struggling system.

The North East region was newly created in 2019 and carved out from the previous Northern region. Before its creation, the then Northern region had some of the worst indicators for access to quality health and nutrition services.

Speaking at the commissioning of the newborn care center in Binde Hospital, the UNICEF Representative, Anne-Claire Dufay said, “UNICEF would like to thank the Government of the People’s Republic of China for their commitment to improve the lives and wellbeing of children in the North-East and Savannah regions through partnering with UNICEF to provide this essential newborn care equipment. Most maternal and newborn deaths are preventable.  We have seen how adequate investment in health care and treatment for newborns can significantly reduce the number of children who die in the country.”

Through this support assorted newborn care equipment including Kangaroo Mother Care chairs, radiant warmers, neonatal resuscitation tables, patient vital signs monitors, baby cots, oxygen concentrators, phototherapy machines, pulse-oximeters, electronic scales for weighing babies, bilirubinometer, haematocrit centrifuges, CPAP machines, heart rate monitors, nifty feeding cups and suction equipment have been provided and installed.

Health workers in the region have also been trained on the use and maintenance of the equipment.

Thanks to this, over 115,000 children under five years and more than 23,000 pregnant women and their newborns will receive timely health care delivery.