TORONTO (CMC):

Scotiabank has pledged CDN$1million, through its global philanthropic programme, Bright Future, to support the Caribbean-SickKids Paediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Project.

In a statement yesterday, the bank said funds will be used to support the project's telemedicine programmes in Barbados, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and The Bahamas.

It said the telemedicine element of the project will allow physicians in the Caribbean to connect directly with leading paediatric cancer and blood disorder experts at SickKids, a foundation that raises funds on behalf of The Hospital for Sick Children and is the largest charitable funder of child health research, learning and care in Canada.

Scotiabank said physicians specialising in areas other than cancer and blood diseases can also connect with both Caribbean and international colleagues, enhancing their ability to diagnose and care for Caribbean children.

The bank said the goal of this project is to expand access to world-leading medical professionals, allowing children to get the best care possible in their own country.

"The Caribbean is a big part of Scotiabank's history and our future. This donation and our partnership with SickKids are directed at giving the next generation a better chance of growing up healthy and making their contribution to the Caribbean," said Sabi Marwah, Scotiabank vice-chairman and chief operating officer.