Takoradi, April 1, -GNA-Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Chief Executive Officer of the National Cardiothoracic Centre (NCC) at Korle-Bu said the Ghana Heart Foundation's (GHF) appeal for 2,000 cedis a month was still urgently needed.

He said about two billion cedis could be mobilized monthly if only one million Ghanaians would support the foundation. Prof. Frimpong-Boateng said presently the GHF subsidizes 50 percent of the health bill of persons with heart related problems from the monthly contributions collected.

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng announced this at the launch of his book; "Deep Down My Heart" at Takoradi over the weekend. He said the NCC had been treating 500 people within a year, though previously only six people could be sponsored for treatment outside Ghana.

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng said Ghanaians must learn to support the centre financially, to enable them discharge their duties effectively. He said the centre had so far trained five Ghanaian heart surgeons since its establishment in April 10, 1992.

Additionally, it had trained several Doctors and Nurses from Nigeria, Ethiopia, Togo, Gambia, Tanzania and Mauritania.

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng therefore asked Ghanaians to continue to support the Ghana Heart Foundation to enable it to meet some of the health needs of the patients with heart problems.

He said the establishment of the NCC was not an easy task and he did not allow frustrations and disappointment to destroy his vision. He said it was sad that many people are unwilling to support their fellow Ghanaians to succeed.

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng said there is the need to encourage others with brilliant ideas to ensure that their ideas materialize and not to destroy such ideas.

Mr. Edwin Philips, Presiding Member of the Shama Ahanta East Metropolitan Assembly (SEAMA), who chaired the function noted that many Ghanaians lacked resilience and easily give up. He said it was only Ghanaians who could develop their nation and urged them to ensure that they do not abandon their country for others. Mr. Philips advised all Ghanaians to adopt hardwork and ensure that the nation is developed for future generations. 01 April 07