Ecobank Ghana donates $120,000 in equipment to combat malaria

Ecobank Ghana Limited has bolstered the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) with a generous donation of vital equipment worth $120,000.

The donation includes digital microscopes, 100 Samsung tablets, and a Toyota Hilux pickup truck, all aimed at enhancing efforts to eliminate malaria in Ghana.

Malaria remains a significant health challenge in Ghana, with an estimated 5.4 million cases and numerous deaths reported in 2021, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Through the Zero Malaria Business Leadership Initiative (ZMBLI), Ecobank and its partners are committed to eradicating malaria in Ghana and across Africa.

Dr. Daniel Kasser Tee, Marketing & Corporate Communications Manager at Ecobank Ghana, emphasized that this initiative aligns with the bank’s commitment to a malaria-free Ghana. “The fight against malaria demands our collective and collaborative actions, as the disease remains a threat to millions across Africa,” he said. Dr. Tee highlighted the critical role of the private sector in driving positive change and sustainable development, which is why Ecobank has taken a leading role in ZMBLI in Ghana.

Dr. Franklin Asiedu Bekoe, Director for Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, praised Ecobank for their support. He noted that the donated equipment would significantly enhance malaria elimination efforts. “The vehicle will ensure efficient transportation of healthcare workers, medicines, and supplies to remote areas. The microscopes will enable rapid and accurate malaria diagnosis, building the capacity of laboratory staff and students,” Dr. Bekoe explained.

Dr. Maureen Martey, Head of Bilateral Resource Mobilization with NMEP and a member of the ZMBLI Steering Committee, underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in the fight against malaria. She emphasized that despite progress, people still die from malaria, a preventable and treatable disease. “In this day and age, when we have the needed medication and the right interventions, nobody should die of malaria,” Dr. Martey stated.

Ecobank’s commitment to the Zero Malaria Business Leadership Initiative, in partnership with Speak Up Africa and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, demonstrates the bank’s dedication to leveraging private sector resources and partnerships to achieve a malaria-free Ghana.