In Ghana, the first 28 days of a baby’s life are the most critical. While we have made remarkable progress in reducing childhood mortality, the rate of deaths among newborns—known as the neonatal mortality rate—remains a serious concern. According to recent data, Ghana’s neonatal mortality rate is estimated to be around 22.8 deaths per 1,000 live births 😢. This means that for every 1,000 babies born, nearly 23 do not live to see their first month. This unacceptable statistic represents thousands of lives lost and countless families devastated each year.
The majority of these deaths are preventable. They are caused by conditions that can be treated with the right equipment, proper training, and timely intervention. As the Neonatal Health Improvement Foundation (NEOHIM Foundation), we’ve identified three key areas where we must focus our efforts to reverse this trend.
The Challenges: Three Barriers to Survival
- A Lack of Life-Saving Equipment: Across Ghana, especially in rural and underserved health facilities, there is a critical shortage of basic neonatal equipment. We’ve seen hospitals with no functional incubators, phototherapy machines to treat jaundice, or even basic resuscitaire machines. Without these essential tools, healthcare workers are left to fight a losing battle, often forced to improvise with inadequate resources. This is not a failure of will; it is a failure of resource.
- Gaps in Training and Awareness: Medical equipment is only as good as the hands that use it. While our healthcare workers are dedicated, many have not received specialized, hands-on training in the latest neonatal care techniques. Furthermore, in many communities, a lack of awareness about newborn health risks can lead to delayed care, often with tragic consequences.
- Financial Barriers to Treatment: For many families, the cost of specialized care or life-saving surgery is an insurmountable barrier. A family shouldn’t have to choose between their newborn’s life and their ability to feed their other children. When a newborn requires a critical operation or extended stay in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), the financial burden can be crippling, pushing families into deeper poverty.
Our Solution: A Holistic Approach
At NEOHIM Foundation, we are tackling these challenges head-on through our core programs:
- Health Care Facilities Improvement: We are actively raising funds and appealing for in-kind donations to equip neonatal units with the tools they desperately need. Our recent project for the Zenu Polyclinic is a prime example of this work, aiming to provide them with the phototherapy machines and resuscitaire equipment that will save countless lives.
- Training and Education: We are developing and delivering workshops for healthcare providers, empowering them with the latest skills and knowledge to care for newborns. We also conduct community outreach to educate mothers and families on best practices like exclusive breastfeeding and recognizing early signs of distress.
- Support for Families: Our financial assistance program provides a lifeline for families with newborns facing life-threatening conditions. We remove the financial barrier to care, ensuring that every child has a chance to receive the treatment they need, regardless of their family’s income.
The fight to reduce neonatal mortality in Ghana is a shared responsibility. It requires the dedication of our healthcare workers, the support of policymakers, and the generosity of people like you. By addressing the urgent need for equipment, knowledge, and financial support, we are building a healthier future for Ghana’s most precious citizens.
Join us in this mission. Your support today can save a life tomorrow.
