The host of the Kokrokoo program on Peace FM, is leading a campaign to provide about one hundred infant incubators to some medical facilities in dire need of the equipment in the country.
Kwami Sefa Kayi through the Kokrokoo Charities on Tuesday launched a campaign, dubbed “Raffle for a cause†as part of efforts to step up fundraising activities to support the cause.
Speaking at the event, the popular radio personality, often referred to as the Chairman General, noted that giving birth to a premature baby is one of the most harrowing experiences any parent could go through.
The 47 year old recounted to a packed audience of well-wishers, including Second Lady Samira Bawumia, how the presence of an infant incubator saved the life of his beloved daughter, now a happy bubbly 12 year old.
He said the incident was an eye opener and gave him an insight into the deplorable conditions at the country’s hospitals, especially the perceived established ones. Many have no incubators at all, others don't have enough to meet demand, and as a result pre-term babies that ought to have lived, die because of the absence of incubators.
Mr. Sefa Kayi, who revealed that he was himself born premature and was saved by an by infant incubators 47 years ago, said through a team of dedicated staff and friends, he has resolved to purchase 100 incubators at the cost of $10,000 each, to be distributed to selected hospitals across the country. So far, four hospitals including, La, Prestea Huni Valley and the Police Hospital have benefited from the initiative.
Second Lady Samira Bawumia, acknowledged the deplorable nature of the country’s health facilities and said mothers should not be losing their babies just because there is no incubator to preserve lives.
She narrated a rather crude and unhealthy method of keeping babies alive in the northern part of Ghana, where mothers warm wet towels on fire and then wrap the baby inside-ostensibly to keep a certain temperature they believe the baby needed to survive.
The Second Lady appealed to the public, corporate organisations and other entities to support the fundraising campaign to help save many premature babies from dying needlessly.
President of Ghana Medical Association, Dr. Ewusi Emmim, also pledged the commitment of his outfit to the cause, and urged the public to throw its weight behind the initiative.
Patrons of the "Raffle for a cause" fundraising campaign stand the chance of winning cars, Dstv decorders, and many other great prizes.
The Chairman General hopes to secure enough funds for the initiative by the close of the year. Whatever numbers of incubators are purchased through donors, will be handed over to the selected health facilities which are in desperate need of the machines.
Below are some pictures from the event:
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