Ecobank Ghana and its partners have provided support for some 16 medical students to go study abroad as part of the banks annual Sponsored Medical Students Exchange Program.
The 16 were selected
from the four public universities in the country – University of Ghana, Cape
Coast University, University of Development Studies and the Kwame Nkrumah
University of Science and Technology.
Each of the
beneficiaries walked away with US$1,000 each from Ecobank, Woodin Summer Jackets
from Woodin, over €72,000 of insurance cover from
OldMutual Life Assurance and 30 per cent discount on Emirates tickets to their
final destination.
The
countries they are travelling to include Germany, USA, France, South Africa,
Polland, and Latvia.
Managing
Director of Ecobank Ghana, Dan Sackey noted that the bank has had a long
standing relationship with medical students and to date, they have sponsored
over 120 students to go study abroad.
He noted
that sponsorship has been expanding over the years, saying that last year the
package benefitted students from only KNUST and UG, but this year they have
included UCC and UDS.
Dan Sackey
said Ecobank is aware of the challenges in the health sector and therefore
believe that giving more medical professionals the global exposure will
position them well to bridge in the gabs in the sector.
He therefore
charged the students to take the opportunity seriously and remember that the
medical practice is a vocation to serve more than anything else, so they will
become committed to humanity.
Head of
Bancassurance at OldMutual, Othniel Kamassah said the total package for the 16
students is almost one million euros, comprising of €30,000 medical expenses and hospitalization abroad, €30,000 emergency medical evacuation, €300
emergency dental expenses, one ticket for family visitor plus €600 insurance
coverage for that person.
Others include €6,600 for the
repatriation of the policy holder’s mortal remains in case of death, €3,000
coverage for accident death in public transport abroad, €3,000 for permanent
total disability and a percentage of the sum assured for permanent disability.
Delali Benti-Enchill is the Head of
Ready to Wear at Woodin, and she said they are keen on supporting youth education
and they will continue to support any effort at providing young persons with
skills for life.
The Federation of Medical Students
Association expressed their gratitude to Ecobank and its partners for the kind
gestures and promised to make the best of the opportunity.
A representative of Ghana Medical Association also thanked Ecobank and asked for the support to be expanded to benefit more students to bridge the growing gap in the doctor-patient ratio.
Source: Samuel Dowuona
