SCB on blood donation campaign

Written by Alhagie Jobe
 
In their response to the RVTH’s appeal for blood donation, Standard Chartered Bank, Gambia Ltd, yesterday began a two-day blood donation campaign to ensure the rejuvenation of the hospital’s depleted supply of blood by donating blood to save lives, at a colourful ceremony held at the bank’s head offices at 8 Ecowas Avenue in Banjul.

Welcoming officials and donors at the occasion, Cynthia Mpanga, Corporate Affairs Manager, Standard Chartered Bank Gambia Ltd expressed delight with the laudable and actual fruition of the Standard Chartered Bank’s initiative. This she said, will go a long way not only in saving the lives of several people, but will provide the grounds to educate more people about the importance of donating blood and the impact of their actions on the general wellbeing of the Gambian people.

Madam Mpanga further highlighted the objectives of the blood donation initiative saying, “We would like to contribute towards the general health and wellbeing of the Gambian people which is key to the economic growth of the economy as well, since a healthy population can contribute to the development of the nation. Secondly, we want to reduce the death toll resulting from severe anemia in our beloved country”, she said.
She then thanked everyone on behalf of the bank for responding to their call in donating blood to save lives.

Baboucarr Ngum, Public Relations Officer of the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital expressed delight at associating with the bank noting that this time; the bank staff has demonstrated one of the highest human qualities by donating blood to save lives.
According to PRO Ngum, Standard Chartered Bank has been a champion in supporting the health delivery system of this country in general and the RVTH in particular. “The bank over the years, has built a pediatric story block at Kanilai and the RVTH. In the RVTH, this has not only reduced congestion, but has contributed to the reduction of child mortality in The Gambia”, he said.

Mr. Ngum then, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare, patients, relatives, and all those who will benefit from this group of blood donors, commended Standard Chartered Bank for such a laudable gesture. He then invited the bank to visit the RVTH National Blood Bank.
Dr Malick Njie, Chief Medical Officer of the RVTH in his remarks, described the blood donation procedure as safe and then highlighted the need for such events for the betterment of the health delivery system of the country.

He gave assurances that there is nothing dangerous in the donation process as within 21 days after donation; whoever has donated will generate the same amount in his or her system. He then on behalf of the hospital management board and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tamsir Mbowe, commended the bank for the laudable move and called on the community to patronise the bank.

Humphrey Mukwereza, Chief Executive Officer of the Standard Chartered Bank, Gambia Ltd said the blood donation campaign is meant to champion a cause similar to those that the bank has always identified with, which is caring for the community and to help patients hospitalised at the RVTH to have a readily available blood supply to prevent death arising from the lack of blood.

According to him, Standard Chartered Bank is very proud to contribute to this worthwhile cause and to be associated with the RVTH, the biggest referral hospital in The Gambia whose interventions in the country have earned them appreciation and no doubt well deserved recognition from the entire Gambian populace.
“The initiative we are undertaking today is very much in tune with the various community initiatives that the SCB has been and is currently undertaking. Some of our corporate social responsibility programmes include the child center at Tallinding which President Jammeh inaugurated, the pediatric ward at the RVTH in Banjul and the current construction of the Western Division children’s hospital in Kanilai”, he said.

Mr. Mukwereza stated the bank’s blood donation initative objective “is to be able to donate blood to RVTH and save the lives of the Gambian people. The amount of blood required for this humanitarian and noble cause has already been attained”.
He then on behalf of the bank thanked the staff who initiated, nourished and brought to fruition this initiative. He also hailed the people of the Gambia for the growing perception and recognition of Standard Chartered Bank not only as a successful banking institution but as a partner in development, charged with a worthy mission to serve the needy and those who are less fortunate.