Omanghana
The 60-bed Maternity and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit complex constructed by the MTN Ghana Foundation at Keta Municipal Hospital recorded no maternal deaths during the first six months of 2026.
Hospital administrators and health officials announced the milestone during an impact-assessment tour by the MTN Ghana Foundation to examine the facility’s performance and contribution to maternal and newborn healthcare.
The GH¢19 million complex was commissioned in March 2024 to address severe space and equipment limitations at the hospital. Before its construction, inadequate bed capacity reportedly forced some pregnant women to sleep on the floor while waiting for medical attention.
Hospital Administrator Mr. Farouk Iddrisu said the new facility had significantly improved routine and emergency care for expectant mothers and newborns in Keta and surrounding communities.
According to him, the facility recorded zero maternal deaths between January and June 2026, reflecting improvements in patient monitoring, emergency response and access to specialized services.
The integrated complex contains an obstetric theatre, laboratory, pharmacy and ultrasound unit, allowing patients to receive essential services without being transferred between distant sections of the hospital.
The dedicated obstetric theatre has been particularly important during emergencies involving severe bleeding and other childbirth complications. Doctors previously had to move critical patients to the hospital’s general theatre, creating delays that could increase the risk of death or further complications.
With surgical services now located within the maternity wing, medical teams can respond more quickly when an emergency caesarean section or another urgent procedure is required.
The hospital’s previous maternity arrangement relied heavily on a single-room system that offered limited opportunities to separate patients according to their medical conditions. The new complex provides specialized areas for different categories of patients, improving infection prevention, privacy and clinical observation.
The 60-bed facility comprises a 40-bed maternity ward and a 20-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
The maternity section includes emergency triage areas, a first-stage labor ward, delivery suites, recovery rooms and a lie-in ward. These spaces enable health professionals to monitor women through the different stages of labor, delivery and postnatal recovery.
The 20-bed NICU is equipped with incubators and respiratory-support equipment for premature babies and newborns requiring intensive treatment. The unit has expanded the hospital’s capacity to care for vulnerable infants who previously might have needed referrals to facilities outside the municipality.
A separate 20-bed mothers’ hostel provides temporary accommodation for women whose babies are receiving prolonged treatment in the NICU. The hostel enables mothers to remain close to their children while maintaining access to clean and comfortable living facilities.
The complex serves patients from more than 15 communities across the area and has reduced pressure on other healthcare institutions in the Volta Region.
Traditional and community leaders have praised the MTN Ghana Foundation for the investment and its contribution to reducing maternal and newborn health risks.
The Awoamefia of the Anlo State, Torgbui Sri III, welcomed the progress recorded at the facility but urged hospital workers, residents and other stakeholders to adopt a strong maintenance culture.
He said protecting the infrastructure and equipment would ensure that the complex continues serving women and newborns for many years.
The MTN Ghana Foundation’s assessment tour formed part of efforts to monitor the long-term impact of its corporate social responsibility investments and identify any operational challenges requiring attention.
Hospital authorities said they remained committed to maintaining the progress achieved during the first half of 2026 and improving the quality of maternal and neonatal services across the municipality.
Source: Omanghana
