Globally, about 13.4 million babies are born preterm each year, with roughly one million dying from complications, according to the World Health Organisation.
In Ghana, around 128,000 babies are born prematurely annually, and approximately 8,400 children under five die from preterm-related complications.
Preterm deaths are common in low-income countries due to a lack of cost-effective interventions, such as keeping babies warm, supporting breastfeeding, and providing basic infection control and respiratory care.
Against this backdrop, the African Foundation for Premature Babies and Neonatal Care (AFPNC) has urged the government to make deliberate investments in preterm and neonatal healthcare to reduce infant deaths in hospitals.
The call was reinforced at the second edition of the Purple for Prematurity Summit held in Accra on November 12, 2025. AFPNC Founder Selina Bentoom emphasized that families must access quality newborn care without financial hardship and called for the expansion of NHIS coverage to include essential neonatal services.
“Our call to action is to get stakeholders to increase investment in neonatal healthcare. NHIS coverage for neonatal care should be increased so essential care is fully provided,” she said.
Executive Director of Salt and Light Ministry, Dr. Joyce Aryee, stressed that sustained investment and political will are key to addressing challenges in the health sector.
“Without people, there is no development; investing in neonatal care for preterm babies is critical,” she added.
Rev. Steve Mensah, General Overseer of Charismatic Evangelistic Ministry, urged government and stakeholders to provide both financial and psychological support for parents, particularly in underserved communities.
“We must make direct investments into preterm care because ordinary Ghanaians cannot afford it,” he said.
The Purple for Prematurity Summit continues to serve as a platform for advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and policy-driven dialogue aimed at improving newborn health outcomes nationwide.
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