BAWA-ROCK LTD has donated five phototherapy machines valued at over GH¢200,000 to selected health facilities in Obuasi to strengthen neonatal care and improve the treatment of babies diagnosed with jaundice.
The intervention forms part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment to improving healthcare delivery within its operational communities, particularly in maternal and child health.
The donation was presented on behalf of the company by Mr. Eric Addae Boateng, Business Development and Sustainability Lead at Bawa-Rock Ltd. He explained that the Municipal Chief Executives for Obuasi East and Obuasi West reached out to the company to support efforts aimed at addressing gaps in neonatal care across the two municipalities.
According to him, a needs assessment conducted by the company revealed that only one hospital, the AngloGold Ashanti Health Foundation had a functioning phototherapy machine serving both Obuasi East and Obuasi West. This situation placed enormous pressure on the facility, as most newborns diagnosed with neonatal jaundice from other hospitals had to be referred there for treatment.
He noted that the challenge often resulted in delays in treatment, overcrowding at the facility, and unnecessary referrals outside Obuasi in some cases. To address the situation, Bawa-Rock Ltd procured five phototherapy machines for distribution to key health facilities within the municipalities.
The beneficiary institutions include AngloGold Ashanti Health Foundation, Bryant Mission Hospital, SDA Hospital, Obuasi Government Hospital, and Odumase Health Foundation. In addition to the phototherapy machines, a blood pressure monitor was also donated to St. Jude Hospital to support general patient care.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Obuasi East, Hon. Williams Kofi Adzowu, also commended the company for the intervention. He disclosed that previously only one phototherapy machine existed at the AngloGold Ashanti Health Foundation, forcing other facilities to refer cases either to that hospital or to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi.
He expressed confidence that the distribution of the machines across multiple facilities will significantly reduce referrals and ensure prompt treatment for newborns within the municipalities.
Hon. Faustilove Appiah Kanin, Municipal Chief Executive for Obuasi West, also expressed gratitude to Bawa-Rock Ltd, stating that she personally reached out to the company after identifying the urgent need for the equipment. She said she was pleased that the company responded positively and described the donation as a major boost to healthcare delivery in the area.
She emphasized that the intervention will improve maternal and child health services and reduce the risk associated with delayed treatment of neonatal jaundice.
At the presentation ceremony held in Obuasi West, Augustina Pomaa, Head of Nursing and Midwifery at the Obuasi Government Hospital, expressed appreciation to the company for the timely intervention. She explained that neonatal jaundice is a common condition among newborns and, if not treated early, can lead to serious complications.
She indicated that the availability of a phototherapy machine at the facility will significantly improve care and speed up recovery for affected babies. According to her, the equipment will also reduce the need to transfer newborns to other hospitals, thereby easing the burden on parents and healthcare workers.
During a similar presentation at the Obuasi East Municipal Assembly, Dr. Bernice Kyerewaa Karikari Apaw, Pediatrician Specialist at AngloGold Ashanti Health Foundation, thanked Bawa-Rock Ltd for the donation. She noted that the intervention will not only improve treatment outcomes for newborns with jaundice but will also reduce congestion at the AngloGold Ashanti Health Foundation.
She, however, appealed for additional support in the form of incubators to help care for premature babies, explaining that such equipment remains critical in improving neonatal survival rates.
About BAWA-ROCK LTD
BAWA-ROCK LTD is a Ghanaian-owned gold trading and mining company based in Obuasi and owned by Alhaji Rasheed Bawa Namoro. Over the years, the company has positioned itself as a strong advocate for community development, with a particular focus on healthcare, education, and social welfare. Through sustained Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, BAWA-ROCK LTD continues to support vulnerable populations and contribute to improved living standards in its host communities.