A newborn baby girl delivered by Alitu Zuliha and admitted with neonatal jaundice at the St. John Catholic Health Centre in Funsi has been successfully treated and discharged with both eyes and skin completely clear of jaundice.
The baby, born on 17th March 2026, was admitted on 26th March 2026 and discharged healthy the following day, 27th March 2026, after receiving timely treatment with the facility’s newly installed phototherapy machine in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Health workers described the rapid recovery as a powerful demonstration of how enhanced local healthcare infrastructure can save young lives in the district.
This early success story stems from a generous donation by prominent legal practitioner Lawyer Abu Juan Jagiara (popularly known as Lawyer Abu Juan), a native of Funsi. To mark his 51st birthday, he funded the acquisition and installation of a modern phototherapy machine at a cost of $7,500 (equivalent to approximately Ghc127,500 at the prevailing exchange rate).
The machine uses safe light therapy to treat neonatal jaundice by helping break down excess bilirubin in the blood — a common but potentially dangerous condition in newborns if not addressed promptly.
Before this donation, cases of neonatal jaundice in Wa East District were routinely referred to the regional hospital in Wa. This often caused delays, imposed extra financial burdens on families, and increased risks for vulnerable infants. With the equipment now available locally at the district capital’s health centre, residents can access this vital service without the previous challenges.
Neonatal jaundice affects many newborns in Ghana, especially in rural and northern communities. Timely phototherapy remains a proven, non-invasive intervention that prevents serious complications such as kernicterus, which can lead to permanent neurological damage or even death.
Community members and health officials have welcomed the donation as a major milestone in strengthening maternal and child health services in Wa East. “This is leadership. This is impact. Wa East is rising,” supporters noted, highlighting the practical difference the initiative is already making.
Lawyer Abu Juan, a well-known philanthropist, Senior Partner at Sory & Partners @ Law, and National Democratic Congress (NDC) financier in the constituency, has a long history of supporting health, education, and community projects in the area. He has officially declared his intention to contest the NDC parliamentary primaries for the Wa East seat.
Residents have expressed deep appreciation for the life-saving gesture, with many offering prayers: “Alhamdulillah! May Allah bless him abundantly, elevate him higher, and grant him strength to keep supporting humanity.”
The successful treatment of baby girl delivered by Alitu Zuliha underscores the real-world value of targeted private contributions in complementing public health efforts, particularly in underserved districts like Wa East. The phototherapy machine is expected to benefit dozens of newborns annually, significantly reducing referrals and improving health outcomes across the region.
This intervention stands as a testament to the positive impact of quality healthcare support and community-minded leadership in Ghana’s Upper West Region.
