The MTN Ghana Foundation’s investment in maternal and child healthcare at the Keta Municipal Hospital is delivering significant improvements in healthcare outcomes, with more than 25,000 pregnant women benefiting from antenatal care services and thousands of mothers and newborns receiving quality treatment since the commissioning of the Foundation’s ultra-modern 60-bed maternity block and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in March 2024.
The project, which was handed over to the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service and the management of the Keta Municipal Hospital two years ago, is already being credited with improving maternal survival, increasing hospital deliveries, strengthening neonatal care and making the hospital the preferred referral centre for several neighbouring districts.
The impact of the facility emerged during an assessment visit by the MTN Ghana Foundation to evaluate the performance of one of its flagship healthcare interventions.
More Mothers Access Quality Healthcare
Administrator of the Keta Municipal Hospital, Farouk Iddrisu, described the project as a transformative investment that has significantly enhanced healthcare delivery not only within the municipality but also across adjoining communities.
“Over the last two years, the facility has served the people of Keta and beyond very well. We are grateful to MTN Ghana and the MTN Ghana Foundation for this very impactful project,” he said.
According to Mr. Iddrisu, more than 25,000 pregnant women have accessed antenatal care services at the hospital since the commissioning of the new maternity block, while approximately 6,000 expectant mothers have been admitted for delivery and specialised maternal care an average of nearly 3,000 admissions each year.
He noted that despite handling thousands of deliveries, the hospital recorded only four maternal deaths over the period, reflecting significant improvements in maternal healthcare.
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit has also provided specialised treatment to more than 3,000 newborns, recording only about eight neonatal deaths during the same period.
Mr. Iddrisu attributed the improved outcomes to the availability of modern facilities, expanded bed capacity and enhanced clinical services made possible through the MTN Foundation’s investment.
“This project has improved access to quality healthcare services for mothers and children. We simply want to thank MTN Ghana and the MTN Ghana Foundation for this impactful intervention,” he added.
Modern Infrastructure Improves Emergency Response
Midwifery Officer Leticia Mawuli Foli said the new maternity complex has addressed longstanding operational challenges that affected the old ward, including congestion, limited privacy for patients and delays in handling emergency obstetric cases.
She explained that the spacious facility now provides dedicated wards for different categories of patients, allowing healthcare professionals to deliver more efficient and patient-centred care.
“When you compare this place to the old site, this facility is more spacious. Privacy is better, and we have separate wards for different cases. Emergency response has also improved,” she said.
According to Ms. Foli, the inclusion of a fully equipped operating theatre within the maternity block has significantly reduced response time during emergency Caesarean sections and other obstetric emergencies, helping save more lives.
She added that the hospital’s improved infrastructure and quality of care have increased public confidence, leading to a steady rise in referrals from surrounding health facilities and neighbouring districts.
Hospital Records Zero Maternal Deaths in 2026
Nurse Manager Mary Deenu said the facility has transformed the hospital’s ability to deliver comprehensive maternal healthcare by providing dedicated spaces for normal deliveries, Caesarean sections and specialised postnatal care.
She said integrating essential services such as the pharmacy and laboratory within the maternity complex has also improved efficiency by allowing patients to receive most services at one location.
Ms. Deenu disclosed that the hospital has not recorded a single maternal death during the first half of 2026, describing the achievement as one of the most remarkable outcomes since the facility became operational.
She further revealed that monthly deliveries have increased from an average of between 130 and 140 births under the old system to approximately 200 births each month, largely due to increasing referrals from neighbouring districts.
The expansion has equally eliminated the practice of managing patients on the floor because of inadequate bed space. “Previously, we had fewer beds and some patients had to be managed on the floor. Now every patient has a bed,” she said.
Despite the progress, Ms. Deenu appealed for the Keta Municipal Hospital to be upgraded into a secondary healthcare facility to facilitate the recruitment of additional midwives, doctors and other health professionals to cope with the growing patient numbers.
One-Stop Centre Enhances Patient Experience
Head of Pharmacy, Dr. Emma Pekyi, said the maternity block has become a one-stop centre for maternal healthcare, bringing together pharmacy, laboratory and other critical support services under one roof.
She explained that the arrangement has reduced the inconvenience previously faced by pregnant women, who often had to move between different departments to access healthcare services.
“The maternity block has become a one-stop centre for pregnancy-related healthcare, making it easier and more convenient for patients and their families,” she said. Patients who spoke during the assessment also praised both the facility and the healthcare workers.
An expectant mother, Rebecca, described the maternity ward as “very comfortable, very spacious—it’s just like home.”
Patricia Afful, who recently delivered her first child through an emergency Caesarean section, said the prompt response of health professionals gave her confidence throughout the experience. “It’s been very comfortable. The staff responded quickly during my emergency and took very good care of me,” she said.
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The impact assessment forms part of the MTN Ghana Foundation’s commitment to evaluating the long-term outcomes of its social investments and ensuring its interventions continue to improve healthcare delivery and the quality of life in communities across Ghana.
Source: Isaac Kofi Dzokpo
