Latter-day Saints transforms healthcare delivery in Korle Bu, UG Hospitals

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has donated medical and non-medical items towards diabetes management and sponsored the renovation of a health facility, all at a cost of $510,000, approximately GH¢8.31 million.

The church donated more than $200,000 worth of modern medical and non-medical equipment to the National Diabetes Management and Research Centre (NDMRC) of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and $310,000 worth of items, and carried out the renovation of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology (OBGYN) Block of the University of Ghana Hospital.

The donation to the National Diabetes Management and Research Centre is to improve healthcare access for more than 10,000 diabetes patients treated annually. 

Donation to Korle Bu

The equipment, which include frost-free freezers, hospital beds, ECG machines, crash trolleys, physiotherapy machines, and others, will enhance the centre’s capacity to deliver quality care to patients.

Diabetes, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), is responsible for 1.5 million deaths globally each year, making this contribution timely and critical.

The Director of the National Diabetes Management and Research Centre, Dr Yacoba Atiase, expressed gratitude for the donation and said: "With this donation, our centre is closer to becoming a one-stop facility for our patients. Diabetes is a growing problem, especially in terms of mortality, and these resources will significantly help us combat the disease."

The Africa West Area President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Alfred Kyungu, emphasised that the donation reflected the church’s commitment to following the teachings of Jesus Christ, particularly His mission to heal the sick.

“This move is about applying the saviour’s teachings, particularly the second greatest commandment — to love our neighbours as ourselves. Our motivation is purely driven by the commandment to love, and we believe in supporting one another through acts like this,” he said.

He further called for proper maintenance of the equipment, stressing that the resources were donated by church members worldwide. "We hope these resources will be a beacon of hope, love and peace for all who use them," he added.

The acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Frank Owusu Sekyere, applauded the church’s continued support, highlighting the importance of a shared responsibility in health care. “This donation is a remarkable contribution to the hospital’s mission to provide excellent healthcare services to Ghanaians,” he said.

Donation to UG

The second donation, valued at $310,000, includes the complete renovation and equipping of the OBGYN block at the University of Ghana Hospital.

The newly refurbished block now features three state-of-the-art delivery suites equipped with adjustable beds, a fully modernised OPD waiting area, and additional washrooms in each ward, significantly improving hygiene and comfort for patients and staff.

The Head of the OBGYN Department, Dr Timothy Senunyeme, said the renovated block boasts modern delivery suites, recovery wards and an enhanced OPD area.

“This intervention will ease the pressure on staff and improve the quality of care for our patients,” he said.The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, expressed her appreciation for the church’s generosity, noting that the donation aligned with the university’s strategic goals.

"This generous donation directly supports our vision of enhancing healthcare delivery, as outlined in our five-year strategic plan. We are deeply appreciative of this benevolence, which will go a long way in improving maternal health care at the University of Ghana Hospital," she said.