MTN refurbishes 300 beds to enhance healthcare delivery at Ho Teaching Hospital

MTN Ghana is undertaking the refurbishment of 300 hospital beds at the Ho Teaching Hospital in the Volta Region l, in a move aimed at improving healthcare delivery and supporting efforts to address the challenge of inadequate bed space in health facilities.

The intervention forms part of the telecommunications company's annual 21 Days of Yellow Care initiative, a staff volunteer programme that dedicates 21 days in June to community development activities in areas where MTN operates. This year's programme focuses on healthcare, community health screening and hygiene education.

Speaking during the exercise at the Ho Teaching Hospital, the Volta, Eastern, and Oti Regional Manager for Retail Experience for MTN, Mr Mawunya Agogo, said the project aims to restore damaged hospital beds and return them to active use, thereby improving patient care.

He explained that MTN staff had joined artisans and technical experts to repair beds that had become unusable due to broken wheels, damaged metal parts and general wear and tear.

According to Mr Agogo, the initiative is intended to increase the number of functional beds available at the hospital and ensure that more patients receive care under comfortable conditions.

"19 years ago, MTN came up with a staff voluntary programme dubbed 21 Days of Yellow Care where we set aside 21 days in the month of June to do voluntary work in the communities where we operate our businesses," he said.

He noted that one of the key projects under this year's programme is the No Bed Syndrome initiative, which focuses on refurbishing damaged beds in major hospitals across the country.

"We want to address the no-bed syndrome by making sure that the beds that are not in good shape are refurbished to augment the existing ones in the hospital so that every patient that visits the hospital will have a bed to sleep on," he stated.

Mr Agogo disclosed that more than 200 beds had already been restored and that the team was on course to reach its target of refurbishing 300 beds.

"Currently, as we are speaking now, we have done a little over 200. We are expecting that by the end of the period, we will refurbish 300 beds and then that way patients who visit the hospital will have beds to sleep on," he said.

He described the project as part of MTN's commitment to creating shared value within the communities where it operates.

According to him, the company remains dedicated to supporting initiatives that improve the well-being of citizens while complementing government efforts in critical sectors such as healthcare.

He also revealed that, beyond the bed refurbishment exercise, MTN will organise a community health screening programme at Taviefe and conduct hygiene and handwashing education activities at Fiave in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region.

Mr Agogo also urged the public to prioritise their health and observe good hygiene practices to help prevent diseases.

"My final message is that we should take our health very seriously. We should make sure that we practise basic hygiene protocols and make sure that our hygiene is paramount to us," he said.

Head of Public Relations at the Ho Teaching Hospital, Mr Anthony Bells Kafui Kanyi commended MTN for the intervention, describing it as a timely contribution to healthcare delivery at the facility.

He explained that adjustable hospital beds are essential in patient management, particularly at the Accident and Emergency Unit where proper positioning can significantly influence treatment outcomes.

"We would like to thank MTN for the intervention. We appreciate it so much because we at the Ho Teaching Hospital believe that in the Accidents and Emergency Unit, positions of beds matter a lot," he said.

Mr Kanyi noted that healthcare professionals often need to adjust beds to improve blood circulation to vital organs such as the heart and brain or reduce swelling in patients' limbs.

He added that an increase in the number of functional adjustable beds would not only improve patient care but also reduce the physical strain on doctors and nurses.

"Apart from the clients, doctors and nurses do a lot of lifting and bending, so if we have enough adjustable beds it will reduce the stress that doctors and nurses go through in those activities," he explained.

Mr Kanyi revealed that the hospital has adopted a policy requiring all beds to be adjustable and fitted with safety rails to enhance patient safety and improve healthcare delivery.

He further disclosed that the hospital has adopted a circular economy model by refurbishing old furniture and equipment rather than disposing of them.

According to him, old chairs, swivel chairs and other furniture are being repaired and reused to reduce waste and promote environmental sustainability.

"The policy now is to promote the circular economy and green transition. So we are not only refurbishing our old beds but also seats, old chairs, swivel chairs and all those other things to reduce the waste," he said.

He expressed confidence that the partnership with MTN would enhance patient comfort, improve staff welfare and contribute to the hospital's efforts to provide quality healthcare services.

The refurbishment project is expected to significantly increase the number of functional beds at the Ho Teaching Hospital, strengthening healthcare delivery and ensuring that more patients have access to safe and comfortable treatment facilities.