The AQ-HANSON CARE Foundation, led by its Chief Executive Officer Mr. Aquinas Hanson Jnr, has officially broken ground for the construction of a state-of-the-art Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Elmina Government Hospital in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem (KEEA) Municipality of the Central Region.
The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by traditional leaders, the Municipal Chief Executive, the Medical Superintendent, health officials, members of the media, and residents of KEEA, marked a significant milestone in efforts to improve neonatal healthcare delivery in the area.
In his keynote address, Mr. Aquinas Hanson Jnr described the occasion as more than a ceremonial event, calling it “a promise kept.” He reiterated that the foundation was established with a singular mission — empowering lives and transforming tomorrow — and emphasized that the NICU project reflects that unwavering commitment.
Standing on the grounds of the hospital, he highlighted a critical healthcare gap that has long affected families in Elmina and its surrounding communities. For years, parents with premature or critically ill newborns have had to endure the anxiety and risk of traveling long distances to access specialized neonatal care in regional facilities. According to him, when it comes to newborn health, every minute counts.
“A society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable,” he stated, adding that there is no one more vulnerable, yet full of potential, than a newborn baby fighting for its first breath.
The new NICU, once completed, will be equipped with modern life-saving equipment including incubators, ventilators, and phototherapy units. The facility is expected to drastically reduce the need for emergency transfers to larger hospitals, thereby improving survival rates and ensuring timely medical intervention for newborns with complications.
Beyond infrastructure, Mr. Hanson stressed that the foundation is committed to building a lasting partnership with the management and staff of Elmina Government Hospital. He noted that the project goes beyond bricks and mortar, describing it as a legacy initiative aimed at transforming lives and bringing comfort and hope to families.
The foundation believes the project will bring significant relief to parents and newborns across KEEA and help bridge the infrastructural gap in the delivery of quality healthcare services for babies in the municipality.
Addressing the media, the CEO affirmed that the facility belongs to the community and will serve as a sanctuary for their children and a strong foundation for the next generation.
As the sod was cut to signal the start of construction, Mr. Hanson declared that the initiative is not only about breaking ground but about breaking the cycle of infant mortality within the municipality.
The ceremony ended with expressions of gratitude to stakeholders, partners, and community members for their support, prayers, and collaboration toward making the life-saving project a reality.
