In a heartwarming gesture of solidarity and commitment to the well-being of mothers and infants in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA), the Accra Birth Cohort (ABC) research team has donated digital neonatal scales to 30 healthcare facilities.
The team was led by Drs Allison Hughes (University of Ghana) and Raphael E. Arku (University of Massachusetts Amherst).
This significant contribution is aimed at supporting Ghana’s efforts towards quality maternal and child health care delivery across the country.
“The scales will help nurses and midwives in the maternity units to accurately document birthweights of newborns in the metropolis, which is an important indicator of child health and survival,” Dr Hughes explained.
The goal of the Accra Birth Cohort project is to examine the impact of air and noise pollution on maternal health, pregnancy and birth outcomes in the GAMA.
The study will also assess pollution and respiratory infections among infants in Accra.
Dr Hughes said, “The ABC project is expected to recruit 5,000 pregnant women across 30 facilities in the GAMA to understand how environmental pollution affects the health of pregnant women and their babies.”
Through this donation, the ABC team wishes to acknowledge and appreciate the tremendous support from the staff of these facilities.
Among the healthcare institutions that received these valuable instruments are LEKMA Hospital, Tema General Hospital, Adabraka Polyclinic, The Ghana Police Hospital, University of Ghana Hospital, and Ridge Hospital among others.
The heads of these health facilities expressed their heartfelt appreciation for this thoughtful gesture, which not only signifies support for their essential work but also addresses a pressing need in the care of infants.
They emphasized the critical importance of accurate infant weight measurements in ensuring the health and well-being of newborns.
The digital scales donated will enable healthcare professionals to monitor the development of infants more precisely, thereby contributing to improved healthcare outcomes.
In light of the pressing need to combat air and noise pollution in Accra and safeguard the health of its residents, the ABC research team remains dedicated to actions that promote cleaner air and quieter living environments for all, especially for infants and children.
According to Dr. Hughes, “This donation not only serves as a symbol of appreciation but also represents a collaborative effort to build a healthier and more sustainable environment for the GAMA community.”
The ABC research team is proud to stand alongside these healthcare facilities in their shared mission to improve the lives of women and children in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area.