Second Lady launches 100 incubators campaign

Accra, May 24, GNA - Ace Broadcaster, Kwame Sefa Kayi; who was born 47 years ago through an incubator as well as his 12-year-old daughter, has embarked on an ambitious programme to provide 100 incubators to health facilities nationwide.

Mrs Samira Bawumia, the Second Lady launched a raffle at the fund-raising event to support the 100 million-dollar project and officially unveiled the 'Kokrokoo' Charities Foundation, which is facilitating the neonatal care campaign.

The campaign was initiated in 2015 with the aim of reducing the mortality rate of children born prematurely or pre-term- babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Already the Foundation, has distributed four incubators, each costing 10,000 dollars to the Nsawam Government Hospital, Prestea Government Hospital, Police Hospital, and La General Hospital, in Accra.

Mrs Bawumia said the ordeal premature babies went through especially at the hinterlands, where local innovative ways were employed to safe the lives of the infants demanded the support of all to make the 100 incubators project a reality.

Mr Kayi, Chairman and Founder of the Foundation said it was a horrific experience, anytime he visited her pre-term daughter in hospital, as mothers whose premature babies could not survive were seen wailing.

'I have embarked upon a very ambitious and seemingly impossible project,' he said as he identified personalities and corporate entities at the event to donate to make the campaign a success.

Mr Dennis Adutwum, Director of the Foundation said Kokrokoo Charities, which aimed at addressing some of the social needs of the country, initiated the project to help prevent infant mortalities and promote neonatal care.

Dr Kofi Ablorh, the Police Hospital Medical Superintendent, said preterm cases were on the increase in Ghana and attributed the problem to infections as well as respiratory and temperature related challenges.

He noted that 15 million babies were born prematurely globally with Ghana attracting some 140, 000 cases.

Those supporting the project by cash donations include: Tropical Cable, Stanbic Bank, Unilever Gh, Japan Motors, 2nd Image Academy, Goil Ghana Limited, Excel Oil, Capital Bank, Beige Foundation, Subscribers Depot, Skynet Express Delivery, as well as Churches, Mosques and individuals.

The major organisations and institutional partners for the fundraising include: National Lotteries Authority/Carittas, Ministry of Health, Ghana Tourism Authority, Ghana Export Promotion Authority and Association of Ghana Industries.

Partners supporting the raffle with products are: Unilever Ghana, CFAO, Fanmilk Ghana Limited, Melcom, Electroland, Niche Cocoa Industry and Societe Generale Bank Ltd, Promasidor, Allied Oil, Goil, Blessed Child Foods, NALLEM Clothing, GTP, Beauty Secrets Cosmetics, Engen, Grid Oil, and Nkulenu.

GNA