Frontline COVID-19 emergency team honoured with token of appreciation for unprecedented service

Presentation of Doctor’s Care Privilege card to Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena. Also seen are Deputy Director General of Health Dr. Hemantha Herath, SLMA President Prof. Indika Karunathilake, and Colombo Business Association President Ariyaseela Wickramanayake

Presentation of Nurses Care card to Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi and SLUNU President Ven. Muruththetuwa Ananda Thero

Doctors, nurses and PHIs and other categories of uniformed and civilian healthcare staff will receive mementoes in recognition of their ongoing service in pandemic emergency relief engagement.

A symbolic presentation for the nurses was made to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa recently by CH17 Rewards and Loyalty CEO Jumar Preena. Those present were Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero Chief Incumbent of Abayaramaya Temple who is also the President of Sri Lanka United Nurses Union and the Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi.

Ch17 Loyalty has pledged nearly 10,000 Care Privilege cards for the caregivers which entitles them for a host of benefits such as upfront cash discounts from partner merchants on a wide range of household essentials and personal goods for their families.

A similar presentation for the doctors and the professional medical staff was made to the Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena at an event organised by Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) last week. Also present were Deputy Director General of Health Dr. Hemantha Herath and SLMA President Prof. Indika Karunathilake. Colombo Business Association President Ariyaseela Wickramanayake and Board Members D. Venkateshwaran, Suranjith Suwaris and Chaminda Vidanagamage were also present.

The Health Services DDG, thanked the SLMA for the initiative and said that this recognition would give those in the frontline a sense of pride and respect. “We all have to appreciate their tireless contribution. They are all high-risk category and their safety and wellbeing will have to be our priority,” he said.

Prof. Indika Karunathilake explaining the program thanked Ch17 Rewards and Loyalty for their magnanimous gesture and said that it was a thoughtful gesture. He also conveyed his thanks to all participating merchants for their generosity and great gesture.

Several retailers have pledged discounts ranging from a minimum of 7% up to 15% on the purchase bill.

There are more than 30,000 personnel in the pandemic emergency services in various healthcare units throughout the country.

Participating merchants are: LAUGFS Supermarket, LAUGFS Care, Crimson Bakery, Bata, Hameedia, NoLimit, CIB, Singer, Dialog Enterprises, SLT, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Thalappakatti Restaurant, Fashion Bug, Saman Mal fashion, DSI and Subway. Bank of Ceylon is the official banking partner.

Jumar Preena said that it was a great privilege and honour to lead such a program in collaboration with SLMA, the country’s premier professional body for medical fraternity. “We plan to invite more merchants and well-wishers in the coming months so that more benefits can be given to the cardholders.”