US-based Medical officer supports Legon Hospital
A Ghanaian medical practitioner based in the United States of America (USA), Dr Ishmael Lamptey-Mills, has donated an incubator and other medical equipment to the University of Ghana Hospital, popularly known as the Legon Hospital.
The medical items which were specifically presented to the Paediatric Unit of the hospital included pulse oximeters and a phototherapy machine.
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The presentation was done on behalf of Dr Lamptey-Mills by members of his class of 1998 Year Group of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital Medical School.
Compassionate doctor
In a remark before the presentation, a member of the 1998 Year group, Rev Dr Andrews Kwabena-Adade, said the gesture from Dr Lamptey-Mills was not only done out of compassion but also because as a doctor he understood the need for transformation.
“The society has needs and in his own small way, Dr Lamptey-Mills has decided to donate these items not just out of compassion but also because as a doctor himself, he understands what it is to have equipment to work with,” Rev Dr Adade said.
A paediatrician at the hospital, Dr Agyeiwaa Tetteh, lauded Dr Lamptey-Mills for the gift, saying it would greatly improve operations at the Paediatric Unit of the hospital.
She said the hospital had only two incubators, and as such the addition of a third one would be of immense benefit to the hospital.
“The pulse oximeters and phototherapy machine will augment the equipment we have and will make service delivery more easy as well as help us to take good care of the children,” she said.
She called for further assistance from other individuals and corporate bodies for more support to the Paediatric Unit and the hospital in general.
Plan for a new complex
The Principal Medical Officer of the Legon Hospital, Dr Gloria Ansah, said the hospital had taken the decision to put up a new building to house the obstetric, neonatal and paediatric units under one roof.
She said the three units were currently sited at different locations but that situation was hampering the survival of new born babies.
“We are calling on philanthropists and charity organisations to support this project as it will make our care for children and mothers who come here to deliver more effective,” she said.
Legon Hospital
The University of Ghana Hospital, popularly known as the Legon Hospital, was built and inaugurated in 1957 and is owned by the University of Ghana.
The hospital started as a clinic, sharing facilities with the Achimota Hospital.
In 1959, five personnel consisting of a doctor and four nurses moved from Achimota to start work at the then University College Hospital at its present location, behind the Legon Police Station.
The hospital was originally established to cater for the health needs of the student population, staff and their dependents.
In 1976/77, as the university community grew, the inhabitants in the fast growing environs began to seek health care from the hospital.
In recognition of the change in the function of the University Hospital during the period, the Ministry of Health (MOH) readily accepted to assist the hospital yearly with drugs, supplies, equipment and instruments.
This arrangement worked quite well until 1986/87 when the” cash-and- carry” system was introduced and the MOH’s assistance to the hospital ceased.
The hospital readily offered its services to the people in its catchment area, as there was no other hospital in the whole vicinity of the university. With time, the hospital has assumed the functions of a District Hospital with a much wider catchment area.
It is a quasi-government hospital with a bed capacity of 130 comprising of general wards, a maternity wing, casualty and emergency wards, paediatric and dental unit and operating theatre.