NMB’S TZS 1 BILLION HEARTCARE INITIATIVE TRANSFORMS CHILDREN’S LIVES ACROSS TANZANIA

NMB Bank’s life-saving commitment to supporting children with heart complications took center stage yesterday in Dar es Salaam, where Managing Director and CEO Ruth Zaipuna led a senior delegation on a special visit to the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI).

The visit underscored the bank’s pioneering role in advancing pediatric cardiac care for underserved families. It also highlighted the remarkable impact of the lender’s TZS 1 billion heartcare pledge, announced in November last year, aimed at widening access to specialized treatment for children battling congenital and other cardiovascular diseases.

A Lifeline for 250 Children

Launched on November 2, 2024, the four-year initiative seeks to fund treatment for at least 250 children from low-income households. In her remarks after the visit, Ms. Zaipuna confirmed that NMB has already disbursed TZS 500 million—half of its total pledge—enabling 125 successful surgeries so far.

“We sincerely thank JKCI for their exceptional work in performing these life-saving surgeries, and we remain committed to collaborating with all partners to make this mission a continued success,” she said. “We are proud that through our support, more children from less privileged families are given a chance to grow up healthy and strong.”

 

She further revealed that an additional TZS 250 million will be released in January 2026 to ensure continuity of treatment for children already in the medical pipeline.

Partnership Beyond Funding

Ms. Zaipuna emphasized that NMB’s support goes far beyond financial contributions. The bank is strengthening collaborations with JKCI, Heart Team Africa Foundation, and Global Medicare to expand nationwide outreach, accelerate the pace of surgeries, and boost long-term cardiac care infrastructure.

Among the ideas under consideration is the establishment of a Recovery House—a dedicated facility where children awaiting operations or recovering post-surgery can stay, to ease the emotional and financial burden on families traveling from remote regions.

A “Number One Partner” in Cardiac Care

JKCI Executive Director Dr. Peter Kisenge hailed NMB as the institute’s “number one partner” in unlocking essential care for underserved communities. He noted that the bank’s sustained support over the past three years has significantly enhanced service delivery, reduced waiting lists, and increased the number of children who can be treated annually.

Heart Team Africa Foundation CEO Dr. Naizihijwa Majani highlighted the national reach of the program, noting that NMB’s funding has supported children from 20 regions across Tanzania. Out of the 185 heart operations performed this year, she said, 125 were financed directly by NMB—a testament to the gravity of the need and the transformative impact of targeted CSR investments.

Changing Lives, One Child at a Time

For mothers like Veronica Temba and Asimina Issa from Kilimanjaro, NMB’s intervention has been a miracle. Unable to afford the high cost of pediatric heart surgery, they described the bank’s support as a blessing that restored hope.

“Please keep going,” they urged. “Families like ours depend on this lifeline.”

As the visit concluded, one message resonated clearly: NMB’s heartcare initiative is more than a corporate social investment—it is a national commitment to saving and rebuilding young lives.