Overview

Bridging a critical gap in obstetric care is at the heart of improving maternal health outcomes. The establishment of the Maternity High Dependency Unit (HDU) at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) marks a vital milestone in providing specialised care to mothers facing complex medical emergencies.

How This Came About

As the main referral and teaching hospital for the Central and Western regions of Ghana, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital serves a vast population, handling both direct admissions and high-risk referrals from smaller facilities across the region. Its maternity ward frequently manages some of the most complex and vulnerable cases in obstetric care.

In early 2025, Dr. Betty Anane-Fenin and Prof. Agbeno approached the GDDA-UK with a visionary proposal: establishing a dedicated Maternity HDU within the hospital’s maternity ward.

The clinical need was undeniable. There was a critical gap in care for mothers who were too ill to be safely managed on a general maternity ward, yet did not require full intensive care. Providing a dedicated, closely monitored space for these high-dependency patients directly impacts maternal survival and health outcomes.

Recognising the potential for profound impact, the GDDA-UK executive committee reviewed and approved the proposal. The Maternity HDU at CCTH was adopted as GDDA-UK’s official project for the 2025–2026 fundraising cycle. Through generous contributions at the annual conference and individual member donations, the required funds were successfully raised.

What Was Donated

To ensure the unit is functional and equipped to support the clinical team from day one, GDDA-UK procured and donated essential medical and environmental equipment:

• Oxygen Concentrator (×1) – complete with full accessories.

• Infusion Pump (×1) – for precise fluid and medication administration.

• Patient Monitors (×2) – to ensure continuous multi-parameter vital signs monitoring.

• Samsung Air Conditioning Units (×2) – to maintain a clean, temperature-controlled environment essential for critically ill patients and medical equipment.

All medical devices were procured with 12-month warranties to guarantee reliability and ongoing clinical support.

Looking Ahead

Equipping the Maternity HDU empowers the healthcare professionals at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital to deliver safe, effective, and timely interventions for mothers in critical condition. GDDA-UK remains dedicated to supporting sustainable healthcare initiatives across Ghana and extends deep gratitude to all members and donors who made this project a reality.