Deal struck to support cardiac treatment for underprivileged Tanzanian babies
NMB Bank’s Chief executive officer, Ms Ruth Zaipuna (left) and JKCI’s executive director, Dr Peter Kisenge, exchange documents after signing MoUs in behalf of their two organisations in Dar es Salaam on October 31, 2024. PHOTO | CORRESPONDENT
What you need to know:
- The initiative aims to ease the financial burden on parents of children born with heart complications and aligns with NMB Bank’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) strategy
Dar es Salaam. NMB Bank Plc has entered into a four-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) that involves Sh1 billion in support of cardiac treatment for underprivileged children.
The initiative aims to ease the financial burden on parents of children born with heart complications and aligns with NMB Bank’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) strategy.
Under the MoU, NMB Bank will disburse Sh250 million each year to support the treatment of young heart patients at JKCI.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Dar es Salaam on October 31, 2024, NMB Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Ruth Zaipuna, described the partnership as a major step in providing critical healthcare to children in need.
“The cost of cardiac treatment is significant. While the government currently covers 70 percent of these expenses, families are left with a 30 percent gap, amounting to about Sh4 million per child. As a bank, we are committed to filling this gap and providing relief to families,” said Ms Zaipuna.
In addition to funding, the bank will support cardiac specialists at JKCI to conduct awareness programmes, educating NMB Bank’s employees and customers on cardiac health.
Zaipuna also commended JKCI and Heart Team Africa Foundation (HTAF) for their dedication to enhancing cardiac care, reaffirming NMB Bank’s commitment to the health sector.
The JKCI’s executive director, Dr Peter Kisenge, lauded the MoU as a milestone in the JKCI's ongoing partnership with NMB Bank.
He praised the government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan for its support in establishing JKCI as a leading cardiac care provider in East and Central Africa.
“This MoU marks a new dawn in our partnership with NMB Bank and will enable us to enhance service delivery and extend our outreach to the grassroots level,” he said.
Highlighting JKCI’s progress, Dr Kisenge noted that their outreach program reached 17 regions this year, treating over 17,000 heart patients.
Board member Abdulmarik Mollel revealed that over 1,500 children have been diagnosed with heart issues this year alone, underscoring the importance of local treatment options and announcing a fundraising gala to support the cause on November 2, 2023.
