The Rotary Club of Accra-Legon East has refurbished the dilapidated Comfort Dzokoto Children’s Ward of the University of Ghana (UG) Hospital, Legon at a cost of GH¢300, 000.
The renovation of the facility followed a needs assessment conducted by the club and hospital authorities in 2018, which revealed that the roof of the ward had caved in and as a result attracted reptiles, including snakes into the building.
He said the development forced the hospital authorities to relocate sick babies and other children to the mother hostel of the hospital on temporary basis.
Speaking at the handover ceremony at the weekend, the President of the Club, Rotarian Somuah Tenkorang, indicated that the project, which was executed within five months, was in response to the focus of the Rotary Club of Accra-Legon East to promote quality maternal and child healthcare.
According to Mr Tenkorang, the completion of the project gave credence to the club’s determination to improve the quality of life and healthcare for residents of East, West and North Legon and environs.
Touching on the scope of work carried out by the club, he said, “Under this project, we carried out the remodelling of the children’s ward to accommodate a well-protected Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Disinfection Room; installation of nine oxygen fixtures, six closed-circuit television cameras and nine air conditioning units; expansion of doctor’s office for congeniality; and replacement of all sanitary wares among other works.”
Professor Ayeh Kumi, Provost, College of Health Sciences who represented Professor Ebenezer Oduro, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, said the gesture by the Rotary Club of Accra-Legon East was not only in support of the development of the hospital but also the nation.
He said the facility would be used to provide better healthcare to children and, therefore, called on authorities of the hospital to ensure adequate maintenance of the facility to help reduce maternal mobility and child death.”
Rotarian Jeffery Afful, Past Governor, District 9102, in his address, congratulated authorities of the hospital on their immense support towards the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
He noted that members of Rotary Club dedicated their time and resources to serve communities all over the world, stressing, the need for the hospital authorities to support the sustainability of facility by ensuring high maintenance standards.
Professor Ebo Hinson, Director, Office of Internal Administration, UG noted that people who visited health facilities that lacked adequate resources ended up compounding their health problems, adding, that the refurbished ward would help position the hospital to provide quality healthcare to patients.
He extended a call to the club to support the hospital to upgrade other wards such as the emergency and maternity.
BY KINGSLEY ASARE