In commemoration of the 15 year anniversary of the Ghana Women Awards, the Ghana Women Awards Foundation (GWAF) has established a Mother and Child Care Fund (MCCF) to support mothers and their newborns who are detained in hospitals over unpaid medical bills.
The launch took place on Sunday October 06, 2024, at the Accra International Conference Center as part of the Ghana Women Awards 2024 celebration where 24 outstanding women were honoured for their distinguished services and contributions to national development.
The incidence of mothers and their new born babies being detained in hospitals over unpaid medical bills after delivery is gradually becoming a social problem.
Available reports show that detained mothers are often compelled to sleep on the floor and end up contracting pneumonia while their newborn babies risk other infections. This practice is considered cruel, inhuman, and degrading for the new born and the mother, denying her the support systems she needs to recover postpartum.
The Communications Director of GWAF, Samuel Afriyie Owusu, explained that though expectant mothers and fathers naturally have about nine months to prepare for delivery, unfortunately, not everyone is able to prepare sufficiently for the unexpected complications of delivery such as; cesarean sections or postpartum hemorrhage, and respiratory distresses among others. Also, some irresponsible men desert their women during such crucial times, hence the need for such a social intervention.
“From time to time, our silver screens and newspapers beam with pathetic pictures of mothers and their newly born babies detained at our public hospitals for non-payment of bills. How many times haven’t you read or heard of such dehumanizing reports in the news and for how long must this persist?” he quizzed.
The GWAF Mother and Child Care Fund will not only offer financial support to new mothers and their newborns who have been detained in hospitals across Ghana for their inability to pay their medical bills but donate other basic items such as diapers, toiletries etc to the beneficiaries and where necessary some start-up capital would be provided.
“This fund will ensure that no mother or child is deprived of essential medical care and can return home safely and promptly. Ghana Women Awards Foundation will also provide a support network for new mothers, including counseling and guidance on financial management and healthcare” Samuel Afriyie assured.
