Ecobank has organised a regional webinar to strengthen its stance against Non-Communicable Diseases, focusing on Diabetes across five countries within West Africa, covering Ghana, Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
The regional webinar, which formed part of the bank’s programme of activities to commemorate the 2020 Ecobank Day, brought together over 2,000 participants across the sub-region.
The webinar targeted customers, stakeholders and staff of affiliate and subsidiary companies; operating banks in the region as well as Pan African Savings and Loans, Ecobank Development Corporation and eProcess International.
The webinar constituted of two speakers and four panelists who comprehensively discussed Diabetes from multiple perspectives, around a common theme; “Experiences of people living with NCDs with emphasis on diabetes, during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as recommendations for a multisectoral reform.
The 2020 Ecobank Day is a continuation of a three-year campaign, which was initiated last year under the umbrella theme of “Together for Better Health”, aimed at raising mass awareness for Non-Communicable Diseases and helping to prevent their spread in Africa.
Ecobank Day is a special day on the annual calendar of the Ecobank Group, which enables employees of its affiliate countries and subsidiary companies join hands to discharge the group’s Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) around local communities in 33 countries across Africa.
Speaking at the webinar, the Managing Director of Ecobank Ghana and Regional Executive for Anglophone West Africa (AWA), Mr. Daniel Sackey said, “Available data indicates that most of the people who died this year from the COVID-19 pandemic had underlying conditions, while 36 million people are estimated to die each year due to NCDs, of which about 80 per cent occurs in low-to-middle income countries.
In Africa, it is estimated that 19 million people have Diabetes, with about 60 per cent of them not knowing their status. The disease is responsible for all sorts of health complications, including chronic kidney failure and loss of sight”.
He stressed the need for individuals and organisations to take action to raise awareness and help prevent Diabetes as well as other NCDs within our region. He concluded that; “Ecobank is specifically focusing on Diabetes during this year’s Ecobank Day celebrations.
We encourage all participants and the good people of Africa to each take a stand against diabetes by visiting www.ecobank.com/ecobank-day to generate and download an image and subsequently share on social media as their personal commitment to fighting diabetes”.
On his part, the Managing Director of eProcess International and Chief Information […]