A global oil company has donated $500,000 to the Maltese health centre in Ghana.

The Exxon Mobile Foundation donated the money to set up a malaria diagnostic laboratory in sub-Saharan Africa. The centre will also serve as a base for internationally-recognised medicinal experiments to combat malaria.

The centre, named Hopexchange, was built thanks to donations made in Malta routed through the Ghana Mission Foundation which helps the Institute for World Evangelisation.

The donation was presented in Dallas, Texas, by Exxon Mobil public affairs vice president Kenneth Cohen to Maltese founder Mario Cappello, who set up the centre in 1985. The American foundation is involved in helping philanthropic activities through education, health and science in those communities where Exxon Mobile has a significant presence.

Mr Cappello said: “Exxon Mobile’s contribution is a strong example of a partnership which binds not only resources, but also business experts in this global fight.”

An estimated 800,000 people die from malaria annually, the majority of whom are children under five.

At its clinic in Kumasi, Ghana, Hopexchange addresses key African health issues including infectious diseases, maternal-child concerns and cancer as well as medical interests such as ophthalmology and cranio-facial malformations.

The Ghana Mission Foundation is also raising funds to equip an HIV/AIDS department in the clinic, aimed to be inaugurated next year.

Donations may be sent to the foundation through a cheque to its headquarters at the Media Centre, Triq Nazzjonali, Blata l-Bajda, HMR1640 or direct credit to Bank of Valletta 112 0604 6019 or HSBC 033 14381 9050.