NDB contributes towards battle against COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc worldwide as well as on a personal scale. Amidst all the chaos caused, Sri Lanka has been one of the few countries who are battling this virus successfully. Accordingly, NDB too joined the fight against this pandemic by contributing its support, funds and other necessary equipment. 

Donation of funds

As a bank, NDB has always been in the forefront of our nation’s development. During such a time where this pandemic has brought many activities to a standstill and the country is in need of financial assistance to fight this pandemic, NDB donated Rs. 7 million to the President’s ‘COVID-19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund’ which was a combination of voluntary staff contributions and bank’s funds. Funds were also donated to the minor staff who are connected with the bank’s supply chain to purchase their essential provisions. 

PCR System

The bank also made several initiatives to ensure that the public is as safe from the COVID-19 pandemic as possible. As such, funds were donated for the purchase of a ‘Fully Automated Nucleic Acid Extraction and PCR System’ – a machine that helps conduct medical tests faster whilst providing a safe environment to health personnel as all tests are done in a closed system. This machine can be used for many other tests and thus will benefit many patients in the long term. 

Air Disinfectant Unit

A high quality ‘Air Disinfectant Unit’ (ADU) was also donated to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. This Disinfectant Unit from Sweden uses Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour which is highly effective for disinfecting room air, furniture and other articles and is safer for human beings than any other form of purifier, thus making it safer for the medical staff who works at the hospital. Disinfecting the air will keep the staff doctors and nurses from being vulnerable to the virus. 

Medical necessities and protective equipment

NDB further supported the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by providing personal protective equipment to support personnel on the front lines and much-needed funding towards controlling the pandemic.

Personal Protective Equipment consisting of N95 face masks, protective hooded coveralls, 3 ply and 4 ply protection masks, face shields, cotton bed sheets and infrared thermometers were donated to over 20 hospitals in the Colombo, North Western, Greater Colombo, Central, North Central, North East, Uva Sabaragamuwa and Southern Regions.

The availability of these items will contribute significantly to reduce cross infection and ensure that the staff of these hospitals are protected from the virus, as they are frontline workers battling the pandemic. Understanding the need that arose in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, NDB donated these items to Kandy General Hospital, Peradeniya Teaching Hospital, Thelipalai Hospital, Batticaloa Teaching Hospital, Ratnapura Teaching Hospital, Balangoda Base Hospital, Avissawella General Hospital, Ampara General Hospital, Kamburugamuwa District Hospital, Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, Homagama Base Hospital, Sri Jayawardenapura General Hospital, Angoda Mental Health Hospital, Kalubowila General Hospital, Lunawa District Hospital, Panadura Base Hospital, Horana Base Hospital, Chilaw District General Hospital, Gampaha District General Hospital, Ragama Teaching Hospital, Kiribathgoda District General Hospital, Hendala Ranaviru Resource Centre, Kurunegala Teaching Hospital and Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital.

NDB Bank, which is the first and to-date the only corporate in Sri Lanka to officially be certified with EDGE Certification (Economic Dividend for Gender Equality) is a premier retail bank with over 113 branches across the island, serving millions of Sri Lankans through a host of financial services. From its inception, the NDB Group which includes NDB Bank, NDB Capital, NDB Investment Banking, NDB Wealth, and NDB Securities has been a catalyst in the development of the nation, strengthening and empowering entrepreneurs, corporates and individuals from all strata of the economy. Customers across all group companies have benefited from the product and service offerings of the NDB Group.