MTN Foundation supports Children's Hospital

Accra, Sept 23, GNA - The MTN Ghana Foundation on Wednesday donated 91,000 dollars to the Princess Marie Louise Children's Hospital (PML) towards the construction of a theatre and an Intensive Care Unit to facilitate efficient child health care delivery.

The donation was in response to an appeal made by the Reverend Father Andrew Campbell, Board Chairman of the Hospital, who together with the management initiated the three-storey surgical theatre project, in May this year.

Professor Franklyn Manu, Board Chair, MTN Ghana Foundation, who presented the cheque to the Hospital, said the telecommunication Company was supporting the project because of the immense importance of good health care facilities had on the development of a country, especially its children.

He indicated that it was critical for society to ensure that children received the necessary health care to enable them to grow into healthy adults to effectively support national growth.

"This donation, therefore, exemplifies our relenting commitment to partner government and other stakeholders to provide quality health care services to our people. We are aware that the PML hospital is the only specialist children's hospital in the country and will, therefore, need all the encouragement and support to provide for the specialized health delivery needs of children across the country," Prof Manu said. Fr Campbell said the project was expected be completed within a year but would need further support in the area of surgical equipment. He said the project, which would consist of two theatres, intensive care units and doctors' rest rooms, would end the long struggle and inconveniences in referring sick children to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

The 83 year-old Hospital, the only Children's Hospital in Ghana, has about 150 outpatient attendance daily. It also takes care of abandoned children, two of whom are sent to the Hospital, each day. About 74 children are currently on admission. The facility which has eight doctors was adjudged the best Hospital for 2008 in the Greater Accra Region.