The Embassy of Japan under Japan's Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGHSP) has handed over an ultramodern Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to the West Gonja Catholic Hospital in Damongo, Savanna Region.  

The project, which costs about $87,832000, is a grant from the people and government of Japan.  

Speaking at the inauguration of the project, a representative from the Japanese Embassy, Mr Hiromoto Oyama, said the increase in maternal and child mortality is a challenge in achieving the sustainable development goal.  

He said the project will go a long way to address the issue of child mortality, not only in the West Gonja District but the entire Savanna area.  

The health of the people of Ghana, he added, is not only a  concern to the government of Ghana but also to the people of Japan, since Ghana and Japan's friendship dates back decades ago.  

He said his government has supported the health sector in Ghana and pleaded with the management of the hospital to take good care of the facility and effectively use it.  

The West Gonja District director of health services, Hajia Sulemana Fuseina, said the facility is the first of its kind in the entire region.

She noted that it has come at the right time since several cases recorded in the hospital are referred to either the Komfo Anoakye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ashanti Region or the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Northern Region.  

She said in most cases, mothers lose their babies as a result of the stress involved in travelling outside the district and, so, expressed joy at the development.

She promised to take good care of the facility since it will not serve only the people of Damongo but also serve as a referral centre for some hospitals in the region.  

Hajia Fuseina appealed to the people of the region and other bodies to help furnish the hospital with incubators, heart rate monitors and other equipment to help the unit function effectively.  

The Medical Superintendent of the West Gonja Catholic Hospital, Dr Saadare Aanlangmen thanked the Japanese government on behalf of the hospital and took the Japanese envoy round the facility.