The donation is to support the good work the centre has been doing over the years and also in response to an appeal by the centre for support.

Presenting the cheque, the Head of Corporate Affairs of the NIB, Mr Charles Wordey, who was accompanied by some staff of the bank, said the donation was the contribution of the bank towards helping the disadvantaged in society.

He added that it was also in line with the social corporate responsibility of the bank to reach out to the deprived in society.

The Director of the centre, Dr Lawrence Agyeman Sereboe, who received the donation, expressed gratitude for the  donation.

He said currently, there were 18 children awaiting surgery, adding, “if one million individuals will contribute a minimum of GH¢2 each, monthly, it will enable the centre to treat a minimum of 50 cases each month.”

Available information

Statistics available indicate that cases of heart defects, especially hole-in-the-heart, is on the increase, with the statistics reaching one out of 100 children being born with the defect.

The Ghana Heart Foundation was formed to mobilise funds to help pay for the cost of surgery and treatment of patients who cannot afford the cost of surgery.