Ecobank , through the Ecobank Foundation, has provided a sum of US$25,000 to support the training of medical students in Bachelor of Science degrees in respiratory therapy in the University of Ghana, Legon and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology which is to last for five years.

The foundation, in collaboration with Charity Beyond Borders, initiated the Respiratory Therapy project to enable student to specialize in respiratory therapy.

Respiratory Therapists are specialists who assist in managing patients in emergency rooms, trauma and intensive care units. They help physicians and pediatricians to manage patients with breathing difficulties.

Their early interventions often help to prevent the deterioration and death of patients, reduce morbidity and mortality due to cardiopulmonary diseases such as cardiac failure, pneumonia, asthma, emphysema and respiratory failure.

Ecobank Foundation CEO, Julie Essiam, stated that the bank and foundation’s assistance is part of contributions to improve access to quality care in Ghana.

“The bank supports communities across Africa through the Ecobank Foundation, by re-investing in health, education and financial inclusion. The foundations aim is to increase opportunities across and in countries where Ecobank operators.

Ecobank has made several sizable donations to communities in need around Ghana. Key among these is a donation of medical equipment to seven maternal health care centers around the country. Some of which includes suction machines, ultrasound machines, incubators, desktop autoclaves amongst others.

“We are also committed to helping children with congenital and acquired heart diseases through the Children’s Heart Foundation, by funding surgeries for children with the “hole in heart “conditions.

The partnership also includes the Ghanaian Ministry of Health, University of Ghana, Legon, KNUST, Weber State University and the University Of Kansas School of Health.

Charity beyond Borders is a United States based NGO with the federally recognized non-profit status with Dr. Trujillo as the founder and president and Dr. Karen Schell as an active member of the organizations Board of Directors.

The organization has been providing medical, educational and humanitarian support in Ghana since 2006. Currently they have focused on three main areas, which are community health, primary school education and advanced health care education.