Professor Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, Ghana’s deputy health minister, has urged greater funding for neonatal services and robust post-discharge support to help premature infants thrive. Addressing attendees at the 3rd Purple for Prematurity Summit, she noted that surviving the initial critical period does not automatically ensure healthy growth. According to MyJoyOnline, she explained that these vulnerable children require specialized monitoring and continuous medical attention to manage complications linked to early birth. She stated that survival is merely the starting point of a longer journey that demands sustained care.
The deputy minister highlighted existing government programs designed to lower infant mortality, such as the Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health Emergency Response and expanded community-based newborn care. While acknowledging these efforts, she argued that more must be done to support premature babies throughout their early years. She called for tighter cooperation between state authorities and health partners to create a national roadmap. This framework would ensure every infant receives high-quality care, particularly those needing specialized attention from birth.
Selma Bentoom, who leads the African Foundation for Premature Babies and Children, also spoke at the event. She advocated for a dedicated national action plan to structure support for premature infants and their families. Bentoom pressed the government to integrate post-discharge follow-up care into the National Health Insurance Scheme. This change would allow families to access essential services after leaving the hospital, bridging a critical gap in ongoing care. She emphasized that saving a life is insufficient without consistent follow-up to ensure the child can grow and develop fully.
Both speakers agreed that the current focus on immediate survival must expand to encompass long-term health outcomes. Bentoom noted that sustained support is vital for children who survive premature birth to reach their full potential. The summit served to highlight the need for a coordinated national response to improve outcomes for babies born too soon or too small. By combining immediate medical intervention with long-term policy support, Ghana aims to improve the quality of life for these vulnerable infants and their families.