Standard Chartered Bank continues supporting National Cancer Hospital

Standard Chartered Bank CEO Anirvan Ghosh Dastidar and the Director, National Cancer Hospital, Dr. Kanishka Karunaratne, unveiled a commemorative plaque last week to mark the continued commitment of the Bank for over fifteen years to the refurbishment and maintenance of Wards 3 and 4 of the hospital.

The Bank has a long association with the National Cancer Hospital, especially with regard to Wards 3 and 4. The wards, which provide care and comfort to men of all ages received a complete makeover with the installation of much needed fans and bed curtains, in addition to the regular colour washing and sundry repairs. More than a hundred and forty patients cross the threshold of the wards each month. The refurbishment and regular maintenance activities are part of Standard Chartered Bank’s pledge to invest in the community in which it does business.

Sister-in-Charge of wards 3 and 4 Pushpa Botejue, who took a keen interest in guiding the renovations said: “I have dedicated my life to the care of those suffering from this terrible disease, and such a generous contribution by the Bank has ensured that my wards are the best maintained. I especially thank Sidath Perera, Assistant Manager Corporate Affairs of the Bank, for his personal dedication to ensuring that all the work was carried out with the least disturbance to the patients. The Bank accommodated all our requests and the wards look very pleasant now, as in the past”.

The alarming increase in the number of cancer sufferers in the country in recent years prompted the Bank to seek to assist the best national institution for the care and treatment of cancer patients. In keeping with the aims of its community investment agenda, Standard Chartered views its long standing relationship with the National Cancer Hospital as not only a sustainable contribution to society at large, but also one that reaches out to a larger cross section of the community. Last year the Bank fully renovated and equipped the washroom facilities of the wards at a cost of over 1.2 million rupees, ensuring that a sanitary environment is available to the patients.

“Standard Chartered Bank has been supporting the Maharagama Cancer Hospital for over 16 years originally maintaining the paediatric ward and now responsible for Wards 3 and 4. All of us at the Bank are inspired and humbled by the work of the doctors and nurses, and the challenges faced daily by them as well as the patients, and it is our privilege to contribute to assisting and alleviating in this way’, said CEO Anirvan Ghosh Dastidar.

The Bank’s staff also ensure that each year at Vesak and Christmas, that wards 3 and 4 are included in the celebrations. This year staff shared the Vesak lanterns they had made to brighten up the environs of the wards. Every Christmas the Bank staff and management also visit the wards, donating medical supplies and other necessities to the patients. The Bank further organizes Blood Donation Drives to contribute to the Cancer Hospital’s Blood Unit.