Scotiabank and the Canadian Medical Association, in collaboration with MD Financial Management Inc. (MD), today announced they will be contributing $200,000 to the Code Life Ventilator Challenge.
A joint initiative between the Montreal General Hospital Foundation (MGHF) and the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), the Code Life Ventilator Challenge is an international design competition that was held in March to create a simple, low-cost, easy-to-manufacture and easy-to-maintain ventilator.
“We are pleased to do our part in supporting health care professionals, as they protect the most vulnerable Canadians from this pandemic. This is one such initiative that we hope alleviates some of the burden and helps save lives,” said Glen Gowland, Group Head, Global Wealth Management at Scotiabank.
Entries from more than 2,600 engineers, scientists, programmers and medical technology experts from 90 countries were received by the March 31 deadline.
“Innovation is an essential pillar of the COVID-19 response, and we are pleased to support a dynamic process that leads to real solutions to address mounting pressures on our health care system. We’re fortunate to have the depth of innovative thinkers and leaders in Canada and elsewhere in the world to create solutions that will have an impact on patient care,” said Dr. Abdo Shabah, CMA’s Board representative in Quebec and spokesperson.
This financial contribution, which will be used as prize money and for other key operational costs to support the Challenge, is the latest in a series of contributions through the Scotiabank and CMA 10-year agreement to support Canada’s medical profession. Scotiabank and MD continue to work proactively with the CMA and their partner organizations to understand what is most needed and how the medical profession can be best supported.