Yvonne Nelson Condemns Government Over Neonatal Ward Tragedy Amid Power Crisis
In a heart-wrenching turn of events at the Tema General Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), actress and filmmaker Yvonne Nelson has voiced her outrage at the Ghanaian government following a distressing video that has sparked nationwide concern.
The video, which circulated widely on social media, depicted a nurse at the hospital lamenting the dire consequences of a power outage on vulnerable infants. With life-saving equipment reliant on electricity, the blackout placed new borns at grave risk, with reports emerging of at least one tragic loss.
Yvonne Nelson, renowned for her advocacy and outspokenness, expressed her dismay in poignant terms, declaring the country’s leaders as “wicked” in light of the situation. In a social media post directed at President Akufo-Addo, she questioned the government’s accountability, asking how they could sleep at night amidst such suffering.
“8 years of lies. #DUMSORMUSTSTOP,” Nelson exclaimed, referencing the ongoing power crisis known as “dumsor,” which has plagued the nation with erratic electricity supply.
In the aftermath of the blackout, subsequent footage emerged showing mothers fanning their babies with cloth in a desperate attempt to alleviate the stifling heat within the wards. The scenes underscored the severity of the situation and prompted renewed calls for urgent action.
Accra-based GHOne TV reported on the devastating loss of a newborn directly attributed to the power outage, further amplifying public outcry. The neonatal unit, designed to provide critical care to infants, is heavily reliant on uninterrupted electricity to sustain essential medical equipment.
Despite mounting pressure from citizens and healthcare professionals, appeals for a power outage timetable from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have been rebuffed by both the power distributor and the energy minister.
The hospital’s reliance on a generator for backup power has proven inadequate, with frequent shutdowns exacerbating an already precarious situation. The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for robust infrastructure and effective governance to safeguard the lives of the most vulnerable in society.
As the nation grapples with the ramifications of the ongoing power crisis, Yvonne Nelson’s impassioned plea resonates with many, underscoring the collective call for accountability and meaningful solutions to prevent further tragedies in Ghana’s healthcare system.