A 40-bed maternity block, which was constructed by MTN Ghana Foundation, has been handed over to management of the Tema General Hospital.

The first major health project undertaken by MTN Ghana Foundation is estimated at about GH¢5.5 million.

The facility comes with a 20-bed first stage ward, a 20-bed lying-in ward, a theatre, a two-bed delivery ward and a seven-bed recovery ward.

It has nurses’ station and changing room, pantry and store, two consulting rooms, two doctor’s restrooms, nurses’ office, kitchenette, washrooms and reception.

MTN also provided an operating bed, anesthesia machine, diathermy, incubator, baby cots, patient monitors, infusion pump, vital signs monitor and radiant warmer, among others, to the hospital.

Handing over the maternity ward, a member of the Board of MTN Ghana Foundation, Prof. Plange Rhule, said MTN was ‘touched’ by disturbing media reports in 2015 which highlighted the difficulties pregnant women and babies go through at the Tema General Hospital due to lack of basic facilities.

“The Board deliberated extensively on this project, considering the size of the project and the amount of money involved. After careful consideration and given the enormous benefits that this project would bring to the nation, the board approved the project. To make this happen, the board made a decision to slow down on the roll out of smaller health projects for a period of time to enable us meet this very important national need,” he explained.

He expressed optimism that the facility would provide improved health care to patients and said it would also help to reduce the usual congestion at the place.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTN Ghana, Selorm Adadevoh, said the company is making huge impact with its corporate social investments, especially in the areas of women and youth development.

He said “the maternity block is the single most valuable investment that has been made by the MTN Foundation; this facility is expected to impact about 22,000 women annually.”

“In total, we have invested 4 million USD in 52 major health projects and this has impacted about 1.2 million lives. Putting all our projects together, we have touched approximately four million lives directly and indirectly with 142 projects in education, health and economic empowerment. The over-all cost of investments is about 13 million USD,” he said.

The CEO said “MTN Ghana is committed to providing the MTN Ghana Foundation with the funding required to support the development of the health sector, as well as education and economic empowerment in Ghana.

“We cannot make such a huge investment without making sure it is well maintained. The sustainability of this project is our top priority. To this end, MTN Foundation, together with the management of the hospital, has agreed on a few measures. This includes the creation of a Maintenance Fund and the signing of a maintenance agreement with suppliers after the expiration of the 12 month warranty period.”

Medical Director of Tema General Hospital, Dr. Kwabena Opoku-Adusei, commended MTN Ghana Foundation highly for coming to the aid of the hospital and promised to ensure the sustenance of the facility.

He also called on the government to complete all abandoned projects at the hospital to accelerate healthcare delivery.

Deputy Minister of Health, Tina Mensah, elaborated on government’s plans for health facilities in the country.

Over the years, MTN Ghana Foundation has constructed several projects aimed at improving maternal and child mortality across Ghana.