Uganda’s leading commercial bank Stanbic Bank has again over the weekend wrapped up its the October LOVE month celebrations and activities during which the bank makes an extra effort to give back to the communities through various initiatives intended to help transform people’s lives.
In a milestone event held in Northern Uganda, Stanbic donated maternity equipment that included a hydraulic table, an modern adjustable maternity bed, Mama Kits among others to Alebtong district Health Center IV.
Under the Corporate Society for Safe Motherhood, partnership that promotes improved maternal healthcare across Uganda, the bank.
Uganda’s current ratio remains relatively high at just below 200 per 100,000 live births, but thanks to the efforts spearheaded by the Ministry of Health it is steadily reducing. According to the World Health Organisation, more than 80% of deaths associated with pregnancy are preventable.
Alebtong health center IV, situated about 50 Kilometers from Lira City, serves hundreds of disadvantaged families in the lango subregion.
The health center In Charge Dr. Ogwal John Baptist said handles between 4000-5000 out patients, 150 – 200 maternity cases and 9-20 C-Sections monthly.
The Resident District Commissioner Jillian Akullo Omara said most of the families struggle to even get what to eat thereby making maternal issues secondary in the day today lives of the locals.
PHOTO: Stanbic Bank Head of Bancassurance Mr. Tich Makonese (in White) handing over Mama Kit to an expectant Mother
Akullo Hailed Stanbic for walking the talk and supporting the mothers of the nation since its from those pregnant mothers that the country shall get the leaders and bankers of tomorrow.
The Alebtong LCV chairperson described the Stanbic intervention as a timely call that will enable the health system in the area to thrive.
The Head of Bancassurance Mr. Tich Makonese said Stanbic bank has a strong commitment to support the Ministry of Health to reduce Uganda’s maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030 as spelt out in the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Tich added that Last year through this campaign, we raised UGX800 million towards improving maternal healthcare services. This year alone Stanbic has so far spent over UGX 300 million. Supporting improved maternal health care is essential, not only to the lives of mothers and babies, but to the general welfare of society as a whole.
In May last year, Stanbic Bank in partnership with the Ministry of Health and other private sector entities launched the corporate society initiative aimed at raising UGX5.9 billion for safe motherhood.
The first phase of Corporate Society for Safe Motherhood’s support will be implemented in four high-volume facilities with key infrastructure and equipment gaps. The facilities include health centre IVs in Packwach, Busanza, Bukasa and Mukono general hospital.
Besides championing maternal health issues, the bank has also championed in areas of digital advancement, Climate Change Action, Financial Literacy Coaching among others.