The Pediatrician in charge of the Ansuaa Ababio Pediatric Center at the Presbyterian Hospital in Dormaa Ahenkro in Bono-Ahafo, Dr. Adoma Fokuo says the sadness she feels due to lack of vital equipment to save the lives of sick children has given way to anger and frustration.
Dr. Fokuo was speaking to GBC during the Media Launch of a 100 Days Programme to raise funds to acquire a Kids Ambulance for the centre. She said no one knows what a child would be in future hence the need to protect them at all cost.
The Abena Ansuaa Pediatric Centre (AAPC) at the Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital is the main stay of children when it comes to their health needs in parts of Bono-Ahafo and the Western Region. Patients also come to the Centre from neighbouring La Cote’d Ivoire.
The AAPC which is a veritable paradise for children offers a comprehensive range of services including Pediatric Emergency Services, Cardiac, Renal and Neuro among others. But in recent times some children have died due in part to the lack of an ambulance at the AAPC.
Records show that between January and now nine children were brought in dead due to delays occasioned by a lack of ambulance services. The AAPC has consequently initiated the 100 Days Programme to raise funds to purchase a pediatric ambulance, fitted with a transport incubator to better serve children in its catchment area.
She consequently made an impassioned appeal to all to help the AAPC acquire a high-end kids ambulance to save lives of precious children.
Throwing more light on the Initiative, Dr. Harry Acquah of the AAPC said Referrals in and out of the facility are a key part of their operations. He said out of 69 Referrals only four had an ambulance, whilst at times it takes over 24 hours for the referral to be completed.
He said the AAPC’s NICU has made 48 referrals this year, stressing that an ambulance is a crucial need.
