First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo unveiling one of the facilities
First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo has commissioned two projects at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital in the Central Region.
The state-of-the-art projects are the Anokye-Yeboah Mothers’ Hostel and an obstetrics and gynaecology emergency centre.
Built by a philanthropist, Mr. Gustav Anokye-Yeboah, the gesture, according to the first lady, is another indication that any support or contribution from an individual, group or organisation in support of maternal health needs would be commended.
This, she said, would help mitigate the situation where “every year, many women die in Ghana due to pregnancy – and delivery-related complications.”
She continued, “Many of these deaths can be avoided, through effective, appropriate maternity care and preventive, diagnostic and timely therapeutic interventions.”
With issues concerning mother and child remaining a top priority for the first lady and the Rebecca Foundation, Mrs. Akufo-Addo has always held the opinion that gestures as this from a compassionate son of the land who is conscious of the worth of mothers would surely give mothers the comfort and dignity they deserve.
She commended the hospital for the judicious use of their internally generated funds towards the establishment of the obstetrics and gynaecology centre, saying this exemplifies great resourcefulness and a can-do-spirit worthy of emulation.
Mrs. Akufo-Addo also praised the hospital’s outreach support programmes to under-served communities in an effort to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.
“Healthcare for mother and baby means making the most effective use of material and human resources. We must continuously and deliberately strengthen maternal health systems, so we are better capable of offering a continuum of care from before conception, through pregnancy and delivery,” she stated.
According to Mrs. Akufo-Addo, all health professionals must heed the duty call to share relevant information, which may affect the care a woman receives during pregnancy, or which may impact how she fares.
She hoped that the two projects would receive the best of maintenance towards a lasting and sustainable use of the facilities.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri