The long-standing partnership between the Medical Mission Institute Würzburg and the St. Martin de Porres Hospital in Ghana focuses on the care available to newborn infants and their mothers. The St. Martin de Porres Hospital is the only hospital in the region that is also open to destitute patients.
Problem: While the under-five child mortality rate in Ghana has been reduced, the neonatal mortality rate has actually risen to 32 deaths per 1,000 live births in spite of all efforts. To counter this, gynaecology and obstetrics is to be further improved at St. Martin de Porres Hospital.
Main activities: Training is to improve care in neonatal intensive care. Nursing staff are also to be trained in hygiene measures and supplementary feeding techniques. Medical professionals are to be trained in ultrasound diagnosis in Ghana, to enable them to perform routine antenatal examinations. To this end a portable ultrasound unit is to be procured. Preparations are also to be made for the introduction of an e-health unit.
Short-term results: Care of newborn infants and their mothers is to be improved and expanded.
Long-term results: The neonatal mortality rate is to be reduced.