Telecoms operator, AT Ghana (formerly AirtelTigo) has donated an amount of GHS20,000 to the Pediatric Sickle Cell Unit of the 37 Military Hospital in support of the 20th anniversary celebration of the unit.
The donation will specifically support the hospital’s initiatives in raising awareness, funding research, and improving care for patients at the unit.
In addition, the donation will also go a long way to help the Hospital to expand their genetic counseling program, helping parents understand the importance of screening and early diagnosis, supporting ongoing research, and expanding community outreach programs.
Presenting the cheque to the unit, Chief Executive Officer of AT Ghana, Leo Skarlatos said “Sickle Cell Disease affects millions of people globally, and here in this country, it touches the lives of many families. At AT, we believe in leveraging our resources to make a lasting difference. Today, we are proud to support the unit to help in the fight against sickle cell disease.”
Head of the Pediatric Sickle Cell Unit at 37 Millitary Hospital, Dr. Sheilla Asamoah Okyere, expressed her deep gratitude to AT, saying, “This donation will go a long way in enabling us to expand our reach, and subsidize treatment costs for underprivileged families. We are also investing in public education to dispel myths about the disease and encourage testing.”
In a touching moment during the ceremony, a young girl named Amina, a 10-year-old patient living with sickle cell, was invited to speak. With a bright smile, she thanked AT Ghana and the hospital staff for their unwavering support. Her mother, standing beside her, wiped away tears as she spoke about the challenges they had faced and the hope they now felt for a better future.
AT Ghana made a pledge to continue their support for sickle cell initiatives, not just through monetary donations but by using their communication platforms to spread awareness about the disease. Earlier this month, AT organized a blood donation at their premises to get some blood for the sickle cell patients at the 37 Military Hospital, Later in this month, AT, together with the sickle cell unit will visit the Ghana Armed Forces school to do some awareness creation on the disease for students.
The partnership between AT Ghana and 37 Military Hospital symbolizes the power of corporate responsibility and community support. The hospital has seen improvements in patient care, increased community engagement, and heightened awareness of sickle cell disease, all thanks to the generosity, vision and foresight of telecommunications giant, AT with their continuous support for all these years.
Through these joint efforts, they created a beacon of hope for many and reminded the world that every small contribution could lead to monumental change in the lives of those affected by sickle cell disease.
