The 3Foundation in collaboration with MTN Foundation has presented a cheque for GHȻ112,320.40 to the National Cardiothoracic Center of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital to pay for the medical bills of five patients, who will be undergoing hole-in-heart corrective surgeries.
The five beneficiaries, who are from needy families, were drawn from the Northern, Ashanti and Greater Accra regions in the charity foundations’ ongoing outreach programme, which focuses on helping children living with hole-in-heart.
The presentation forms part of the third and fourth quarter disbursements from the proceeds of the two charity foundations dedicated to the programme dubbed: ‘Think Heart, Save a Child’.
The Head of National Cardiothoracic Centre, Dr. Lawrence Sereboe, who received the cheque, praised the effort of the two foundations, adding that their collaboration with the Centre will continue to support patients with hole-in-heart condition.
He said the patients will be scheduled as soon as possible to improve their life expectancy.
Dr. Sereboe assured the foundations of better and quality life healthcare delivery.
“Without surgery most of these children will have very problematic childhoods,” he noted.
Guardian of nine-year-old Rabi Soale from Buipe in the Northern Region Mohammed Rashida expressed relief after being informed about the support of the foundations.
“We have gone around looking for help for about a year now and we couldn’t get anyone to help us. Through MTN foundation and 3Foundation we have been able to come out. We thank the almighty Allah for their support and the patience that they have for us,” she said.
Similar sentiments were expressed by parents who also benefited from the donation.
Hole-in-heart
Hole-in-heart defect is an abnormality in the structure of the heart that easily causes fatigue in patients.
It has become prevalent in Ghana though the causes are still unknown.
Media General’s 3Foundation and MTN Foundation have dedicated the sum of GH¢ 50,000 every quarter to cater for surgeries of patients who cannot afford.
The Corporate Social Responsibility Manager for Media General in charge of 3Foundation, Adriana Akosua Adjei, noted that the foundation would be able to help more patients if individuals and corporate organizations also help raise funds.
She added that the beneficiaries needed surgeries urgently.
“We are looking forward to see these patients that we have paid for get a better life and we want to see their surgeries done as quickly as possible,”she noted.
By Paul Selorm Agbo |3news.com |Ghana