6 crucial facts you probably didn't know about the new KATH maternity block
The First Lady of the Republic, Mrs Rebecca Akufu-Addo today commissioned an ultra-modern Maternity Unit, as well as Mother and Baby Unit (MBU), for the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi.
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The project which was completed at the cost GHC10million is expected to reduce congestion and current deaths toll at the hospital.
According to available records, the hospital loses a new born baby in every fifteen minutes, with four babies dying every hour.
However, the new commissioned facility with three emergency ward, has been furnished with over 15 incubators that will allow KATH take in four times the current number of infants and mothers by avoidable deaths by 60-80%.
Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo who cut the sod for the project in May 2017, succeeded in raising funds towards the completion of the project together with some major stakeholders.
Meanwhile, there some six crucial facts you probably didn't know about the new KATH maternity block.
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1. The project was inspired by First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo
The construction of the world-class project was inspired by the First Lady through her Rebecca Foundation. Major works on the entire project started on May 29, 2017, and it took only nine months to complete.
2. The maternity block was built without foreign aid
The new maternity project was built without a foreign aid and grant. The Rebecca Foundation led the initiative by raising funds through individuals and corporate bodies to the tune of GHc10 million to complete the entire project.
3. The project had stalled for more than 40years
Available information revealed that the KATH Maternity Block project began as far back as 1974 but works had stalled for more than 40 years due to some strange reasons to complete by successive governments.
4. The new block was first earmarked to cost more than $70m
Reports say the project was initially estimated to cost more than $70m with more than a 1,000-bed facility. But the Rebecca Foundation found it pragmatic to build immediately a less costly 10million cedi facility.
5. The facility is the only green hospital in Africa
According to Joy FM’s Seth Kwame Boateng, the hospital sits on 2,722 square meter facility and has nine berthing beds with three operation theaters. Therefore, 12 women can deliver at the same time.
The facility is also said to be the only green hospital in Africa which uses optimizes energy efficiency, conserves natural resources and generates less waste with healthier spaces for occupants.
6. The project started after an expose by Joy FM journalist
The idea of constructing the facility was hatched after Joy News documentary by Seth Kwame Boateng revealed in March 2017, a shocking rate of mortality at the hospital was partly due to overcrowding.
The documentary, titled ‘Next To Die’, revealed that a cot meant for one baby was being shared by as many as eight new born babies.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
