NMB EARMARKS 1BN/- TO AID CARDIAC TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN AT JKCI

NMB Bank Plc has signed a four-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth 1bn/- with Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) for extension of free cardiac treatment services to under-privileged children.

Through the MoU that will take shape effective this year, the lender will provide 250m/- each year as financial assistance for child patients with heart disease undertaking treatment at JKCI.

This collaboration aligns with the bank's Corporate Social Investment (CSI) strategy and aims to provide relief to parents with children born with heart complications.

Available data shows that around 13,800 children are born in Tanzania every hear but their life remain at risk because of the high expenses for cardiac treatment.

Speaking during the signing ceremony held in Dar es Salaam, the NMB Bank Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ruth Zaipuna termed the MoU as a remarkable step in the direction since it will give a new lease of life to children with heart complications.

"The costs for cardiac treatment are so high. We understand that the government has been footing 70 percent of the bills. As a bank, we feel privileged to compliment Government's efforts by filling the missing 30 percent financial gap (about 4m/) per child," Zaipuna said.

Zaipuna added that apart from the financial support, her bank will also empower cardiac specialists at JKCI to offer awareness programs to the bank's key stakeholders including both employees and customers.

She during the event commended JKCI and the Heart Team Africa Foundation (HTAF) for their efforts in enhancing cardiac treatment reiterating her bank's commitment to continue supporting the institute.

Zaipuna during the event reiterated the bank’s commitment to continue supporting development of the heath sector calling other corporate companies to support the health noble cause.

The JKCI Executive Director Dr. Peter Kisenge during the event commended the bank for its continued to his institution adding that the MoU signed marks another milestone of continued partnership between the two parties.

He during the event lauded the sixth phase Government under Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan for its support adding the support rendered has made the institution standout in the East and Central African region.

“Thie new MoU marks a new dawn in our partnership with NMB Bank. The new MoU signed today will help enhance service delivery and take our services closer to people at grassroots level,” Kisenge said.

He added, “Our outreach program has so far reached 17 regions this year where 17,000 heart patients have been attended to.”

The JKCI Board member Abdulmarik Mollel during the event noted that over 1,500 children have been diagonised with heart complications adding that it is on such a back drop that the bank is organising a fundraising gala on November 2, 2023.

"95 percent of heart patients had to travel abroad to seek treatment . The vice has changed in recent years as 95 percent now get treatment internally," he added.