How YSENMED’s Gear Transforms Maternity Care in Ghana’s New Ward

Maternal and child health gaps persist in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Ghana, where access to life-saving obstetric care remains uneven. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio is 308 deaths per 100,000 live births—nearly six times higher than the average in high-income nations (52 deaths per 100,000 live births). Behind this stark statistic lies a critical barrier: under-equipped maternity wards. In rural Ghana, 60% of hospitals lack basic neonatal incubators, 45% have no fetal monitors, and 30% rely on outdated delivery beds that cannot adjust for complex births (per a 2023 Ghana Health Service report). These shortages force healthcare providers to make impossible choices—like transferring preterm infants hours to urban hospitals, where survival rates drop by 25% during transport.​
In 2024, Ghana took a pivotal step toward closing this gap with the launch of a new, fully equipped maternity ward in the Brong-Ahafo Region—a facility serving 150,000 people. The opening ceremony, attended by Ghana’s former President John Mahama, marked more than a new building—it represented a commitment to equitable care. Every piece of obstetric and neonatal equipment in the ward, from portable incubators to fetal monitors, was supplied by YSENMED, a global leader in medical devices tailored for resource-constrained settings. This project not only transforms care for the local community but also serves as a model for how the right equipment can turn under-resourced maternity wards into life-saving hubs. Below, we explore key trends shaping obstetric equipment demand, critical selection criteria for LMICs like Ghana, YSENMED’s tailored solutions, and the real-world impact of the Ghana project.​
Key Trends Shaping Obstetric Equipment Demand​
The global obstetric equipment market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% through 2030 (Grand View Research), with LMICs driving over 60% of this growth. Four trends stand out as particularly relevant to Ghana and similar nations:​
1. Prioritizing Mortality Reduction Through Targeted Gear​
The WHO and UNICEF’s Sustainable Development Goal 3 aims to reduce maternal mortality by 75% by 2030—and equipment is central to this mission. In Ghana, preterm birth (accounting for 13% of live births) and labor complications (like fetal distress) are the top causes of infant and maternal deaths. As a result, neonatal incubators and fetal monitors have been added to the WHO’s Essential Medical Devices List for primary maternity care in sub-Saharan Africa. Local hospitals now view these tools not as “luxuries” but as non-negotiables for meeting basic care standards.​
2. Portable, Dual-Power Devices for Unreliable Infrastructure​
Rural Ghanaian hospitals face frequent power outages—some lasting 4–6 hours daily—yet care cannot stop when the grid fails. The shift toward AC/DC dual-power equipment has become a lifeline. These devices run on electricity when available and switch to long-lasting lithium-ion batteries (8–12 hours of use for incubators) during outages. A 2023 survey by the African Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AFOG) found that 78% of rural Ghanaian hospitals rank “power adaptability” as their top priority when purchasing obstetric equipment, ahead of price.​
3. Multi-Functional Designs to Maximize Limited Resources​
Space and budget constraints in Ghana’s public hospitals mean single-purpose equipment is often impractical. A small maternity ward, for example, cannot accommodate separate delivery beds, exam tables, and storage units. Modern obstetric devices address this with all-in-one designs: a delivery bed that converts to a gynecological exam table, or a neonatal incubator with built-in phototherapy lights for jaundice treatment. This integration cuts equipment costs by 30–40% and reduces space needs by half—critical for wards serving 50+ daily patients with limited exam rooms.​
4. User-Friendly Design for Non-Specialist Staff​
In rural Ghana, 80% of maternity care is provided by midwives and general nurses, not specialized obstetricians (Ghana Health Service, 2023). Equipment that requires advanced training or technical expertise is often underused or misused—wasting resources and endangering patients. Manufacturers now prioritize intuitive, low-maintenance designs: fetal monitors with color-coded alerts (red for distress, yellow for caution), one-touch operation for incubators, and clear, pictorial manuals (no complex jargon). These features ensure that even staff with limited training can use the equipment safely and effectively.​
Critical Criteria for Obstetric Equipment in Ghana​
Choosing obstetric equipment for Ghana’s hospitals requires balancing clinical rigor with real-world constraints. Based on guidelines from the WHO and feedback from local healthcare teams, these are the non-negotiable criteria to evaluate:​
1. Clinical Efficacy: Addressing Life-Threatening Risks​
Every device must directly reduce the leading causes of maternal and neonatal death:​

• Neonatal Support: Incubators must maintain a stable temperature range of 35–37°C (critical for preterm infants, who cannot regulate body heat) and humidity of 80–90% to prevent skin and airway drying. Models with built-in oxygen ports and phototherapy lights add value, as jaundice affects 60% of preterm infants in Ghana.​

• Fetal Monitoring: Devices must track fetal heart rate (normal range: 110–160 bpm) and uterine contractions in real time, with audible and visual alerts for bradycardia (heart rate <110 bpm) or tachycardia (heart rate >160 bpm)—signs of fetal distress that require immediate intervention.​

• Delivery Safety: Obstetric beds must adjust to multiple positions, including lithotomy (for standard deliveries) and Trendelenburg (for managing postpartum hemorrhage, a leading cause of maternal death). Built-in handrails and footrests provide stability for mothers and support for providers during long labors.​

2. Adaptability to Local Infrastructure​
Ghana’s rural hospitals have unique infrastructure challenges—equipment must work around them:​

• Dual-Power Capability: AC/DC compatibility is non-negotiable. For example, YSENMED’s portable incubator has a battery that lasts 10 hours, enough to cover most power outages in rural areas.​

• Global Voltage Compatibility: Ghana’s electrical grid operates at 230V, 50Hz—but equipment must also work with generators (common in rural areas) that may fluctuate between 200–240V. Devices with 110–240V adaptive power supplies avoid burnout and ensure consistent performance.​

• No Specialized Plumbing: Phototherapy devices and delivery beds should have self-contained water tanks, as many rural hospitals lack reliable running water or specialized plumbing. This eliminates the risk of equipment failure due to water shortages.​

3. Durability & Low Maintenance​
Equipment in Ghana’s maternity wards is used intensively—often 12+ hours daily—and must withstand harsh conditions:​

• Corrosion-Resistant Materials: Stainless steel or coated metal surfaces resist rust from humidity (common in Ghana’s tropical climate) and are easy to disinfect between patients, reducing infection risk (a major concern, as 15% of maternal deaths in Ghana are infection-related).​

• Minimal Moving Parts: Fewer moving parts mean fewer breakdowns. For example, YSENMED’s hydraulic delivery bed uses simple controls instead of complex electronic motors, cutting maintenance needs by 50%.​

• Local Spare Parts Access: Manufacturers must have regional warehouses (like YSENMED’s facility in Accra) to supply common parts—such as incubator filters, monitor batteries, and bed hydraulic pumps—within 48 hours. Downtime for critical equipment can mean the difference between life and death.​

4. Compliance with Global Standards​
To ensure reliability, equipment must meet international benchmarks:​

• WHO Prequalification: This certification confirms the device has undergone rigorous testing for safety and efficacy in LMIC settings.​

• CE or FDA Certification: These labels guarantee compliance with global quality standards, reducing the risk of purchasing faulty or substandard gear.​

YSENMED’s Obstetric Solutions for Ghana​
YSENMED’s obstetrics and gynecology lineup (available at https://www.ysenmedical.com/collections/obstetrics-and-gynecology) is designed specifically to meet Ghana’s unique needs, with every device aligned to the criteria above:​
Neonatal Care: Protecting Preterm and At-Risk Infants​

• YSBT-200 Portable Neonatal Incubator: This compact incubator (weighing 22 kg) is ideal for rural transport—critical for teams moving infants between wards and NICUs. It maintains 35–37°C temperature with ±0.5°C accuracy, has AC/DC power, and includes a built-in oxygen flow meter. The transparent canopy allows constant monitoring without disturbing the infant.​

• YSXHZ-90S Bilirubin Phototherapy Device: Jaundice affects 60% of local neonatal patients, and this device simplifies treatment. It uses LED lights (energy-efficient, with 50,000-hour lifespan) to deliver therapeutic light, has a self-contained water tank for cooling, and can be mounted on incubators or used as a standalone unit.​

• YSNBN-JD01 Percutaneous Jaundice Tester: This handheld device eliminates the need for lab blood tests—staff simply place it on the infant’s forehead to measure bilirubin levels (range: 0–25 mg/dL) in 2 seconds. Results are displayed in both mg/dL and μmol/L, matching Ghana’s lab standards.​

Maternal & Delivery Care: Safety During Labor and Birth​

• YSOT-CC03A Hydraulic Delivery Bed: This bed addresses space constraints by doubling as a gynecological exam table. It adjusts to 5 positions (including lithotomy and Trendelenburg), has stainless steel surfaces for easy cleaning, and supports up to 150 kg. The hydraulic controls require no electricity, making it reliable during outages.​

• YSFM-G6B Fetal & Maternal Monitor: This dual-purpose device tracks fetal heart rate (100–240 bpm) and maternal vitals (heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation) simultaneously. It has color-coded alerts (red for critical, yellow for warning), a 7-inch touchscreen, and multilingual prompts (including Twi, Ghana’s most widely spoken local language). Data can be stored for 30 days, aiding in follow-up care.​

Multi-Functional Tools: Maximizing Value​

• YSBB-2200B Neonatal Incubator with Phototherapy: For busy days, this all-in-one device combines temperature control with built-in phototherapy, eliminating the need for separate equipment. It also has a humidity sensor that alerts staff if levels drop below 80%, reducing the risk of dehydration in preterm infants.​

• YSHB-SX1 Gynecological Exam Bed: This bed includes under-bed storage drawers for supplies (gloves, gauze, speculums), a must for small exam rooms. It has an adjustable backrest (0–80°) for patient comfort and a non-slip surface to prevent falls during exams.​

The Ghana Project: Real-World Impact​
Three months after the new maternity ward opened, the impact of YSENMED’s equipment is already measurable:​
Addressing Critical Gaps in Care​
Before the ward, the local hospital had only 2 outdated incubators, forcing staff to triage infants and transfer 60% of preterm cases to urban facilities (a 3-hour drive away). Now, 5 YSBT-200 incubators have cut transfer rates by 40%—and of the infants who stay, survival rates have risen from 70% to 88%. The YSFM-G6B monitors have detected 12 cases of fetal distress in 3 months, allowing staff to perform emergency cesarean sections in time to save all 12 infants. “We used to miss these signs until it was too late,” says midwife Mercy Agyemang. “Now, the monitor’s alert goes off, and we act immediately.”​
Adapting to Local Challenges​
Power outages remain a daily reality, but YSENMED’s dual-power devices keep care on track. During a 5-hour outage in June 2024, the YSBT-200 incubators’ batteries stayed charged, and the YSFM-G6B monitors ran on backup power. “We didn’t miss a single scan or have to move a baby,” notes Dr. Kofi Addo, the hospital’s medical director. “That’s never happened before.” The equipment’s durability has also proven critical—after 3 months of daily use, none of the devices have required repairs, thanks to their corrosion-resistant materials and minimal moving parts.​
Building Long-Term Capacity​
YSENMED did more than supply equipment: the team provided 2 days of hands-on training for 8 midwives and 4 nurses, covering everything from incubator temperature calibration to monitor troubleshooting. They also established a local spare parts depot in Accra, ensuring that replacement filters, batteries, and lights arrive within 48 hours. “The training gave us confidence,” says Agyemang. “We no longer feel scared to use new equipment—we know how to fix small issues ourselves.” As a result, the ward has increased its patient capacity by 25%, now serving 65 mothers and babies daily.​
Why This Matters for Global Maternity Care​
Ghana’s new maternity ward is more than a local success—it’s a blueprint for LMICs. It proves that reducing maternal and neonatal mortality doesn’t require billion-dollar budgets; it requires equipment tailored to local needs: portable, durable, user-friendly, and aligned with the causes of death. For hospitals in Kenya, Tanzania, or Nigeria facing similar challenges, YSENMED’s gear offers a path forward—one that prioritizes practicality over complexity.​
As Ghana works to meet its SDG 3 targets, the project stands as a reminder: the right equipment doesn’t just equip a ward—it empowers healthcare providers to save lives. For every preterm infant who no longer needs to be transferred, every mother who receives timely care during labor, and every midwife who feels confident using modern tools, the project represents progress. In the end, this is what equitable maternity care looks like: not just buildings, but the tools to turn those buildings into places of hope.