At the Juaboso Government Hospital in the Western North Region, approximately 10 per cent of newborn babies require neonatal incubators to survive, according to Dr. Solomon Nyaanyuu, the hospital’s medical superintendent.
Many of these infants are born prematurely or with health complications, while others are referred from neighboring districts.
These babies often require emergency medical care and are admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where they are placed in incubators for specialized treatment.
A neonatal incubator is a vital medical device that provides a safe, controlled, and stable environment for newborns, especially those who are premature or critically ill.
It helps regulate body temperature and protects the infants from infections, jaundice, hypoglycemia, and other common neonatal conditions.
Dr. Nyaanyuu revealed that the hospital sees an average of 100 births each month, with roughly 10 babies needing incubator support.
He stressed the growing need for more incubators, especially as the hospital continues to receive referrals from other health facilities across the region.
Until recently, the hospital had only one incubator. However, the situation has improved following the intervention of the Member of Parliament for Juaboso and Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh.
He has donated four additional incubators to the Juaboso Hospital and one to the Kofikrom SDA Hospital.
During the presentation of the equipment, which also included phototherapy machines, radiant warmers, and other essential items, Hon. Akandoh pledged to support the hospital’s NICU and announced plans to expand the facility.
He assured that even before the expansion begins, he would ensure the hospital is adequately equipped to deliver quality healthcare to the people of Juaboso and surrounding communities.