The First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Naa Okaikor Akufo-Addo, yesterday took her health outreach to the Tema vicinity where she presented medical logistics to the Tema General Hospital and joined a free breast cancer screening exercise.
The hospital, which is the largest public referral health facility in Tema, received items including bed sheets, diapers, blankets, nose masks and sanitizers to enhance the delivery of healthcare.
Mrs. Akufo-Addo, in a brief statement before handing over the items to the hospital management, said the donation was made possible through the generosity of partners of ‘The Rebecca Foundation’.
She said the foundation, founded in 2017, to support the wellbeing of women and children in the areas of health, education and women’s economic empowerment, has recorded significant impact in the lives of Ghanaian women and children.
“Our footprints in health have been seen in all 16 regions of Ghana. Today is another opportunity for me to thank our remarkable partners and donors. They have made it possible for me, even in this COVID-19 times, to support our health sector,” she said.
She assured the hospital of the foundation’s support adding, “I am hopeful that these items will go to improve the quality of care here and make your work easier.”
Medical Director of the Tema General Hospital, Dr. Richard Anthony, said the impact of ‘The Rebecca Foundation’ in the country’s health sector can be felt by all especially, mothers and children.
“Your Excellency, we can attest to your love for maternal and child health issues among several others, of particular mention are your campaign for the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV, promotion of exclusive breast feeding, voluntary blood donation, and breast cancer awareness ,” he said.
Dr. Anthony also noted that the hospital staff benefited from the several interventions put in place by the government for frontline health workers in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We were one of the hospitals who received tremendous support from government also through the COVID-19 national trust fund. We pray for God’s enormous blessings for this kind gesture and appeal for more such benevolent act from your office,” he added.
He said through the effort of the First Lady and other stakeholders the hospital has been earmarked for an upgrade which will move it from a general hospital to regional hospital status.
“In 2016, during your visit to Tema General Hospital, a humble plea was made to you for the construction of a new hospital complex. Her Excellency a mother who has a listening ear worked assiduously behind the scene together with our MP for Tema Central, Kofi Brako, and others and we are anticipating the sod cutting for the state of the art hospital complex by President Akufo-Addo.
The NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Tema Central, Yves Nii Noi Hanson, indicated that under the leadership of the NPP, the hospital has benefited from a new ante natal ward, a blood analyzer among others.
“I want to assure both workers of Tema General Hospital and the people of Tema Central that we shall work and make sure that it is built in the next term of President Akufo-Addo.
Beyond that, we need your mandate to continue with the good works that we have begun and I can assure you that I, Nii Noi, together with the President when given the mandate we shall work and make sure your request for a new regional hospital is fulfilled,” he said.
At the free breast screening exercise in Tema West, organized by the Tema West MP, Carlos Ahenkorah and the Breasted One Foundation, Mrs. Akufo-Addo encouraged the women to take advantage of the free breast screening to have their breast examined.
She said it was important for the disease to be detected early as early detection helps in better treatment outcomes.
