Employees of Sri Lanka’s largest private sector retail bank HNB PLC, contributed a day’s pay towards furnishing of a training center for doctors at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (IDH). "The fact that Sri Lanka has made such incredible progress in combatting the spread of COVID-19 results directly from the courageous and diligent efforts of our healthcare professionals, especially those at the IDH who were on the frontlines of this battle,” HNB Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Dilshan Rodrigo stated.
The funds were gathered through voluntary contributions drawn from the HNB team during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and will be utilized towards the installation of essential furniture and fittings for the training center.
“HNB is proud to lend our support to enhance their training and skills development initiatives and we thank our employees for stepping forward at this critical moment to offer their voluntary contributions towards this noble cause. In supporting frontline healthcare workers, we are able to make tangible improvements to health outcomes. Moving forward, we will continue to seek further opportunities to assist health authorities to overcome this pandemic,” HNB Chief Transformation Officer / Trustee HNB Sustainability Foundation, Chiranthi Cooray said.
HNB Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Dilshan Rodrigo exchanging the MOU with National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Director Dr. Hasitha Attanayake (center), National Institute of Infectious Diseases - Anura Athukorala, National Institute of Infectious Diseases – Accountant, Hirani Ranatunga, National Institute of Infectious Diseases – Matron, Geethani Udugamakorala, National Institute of Infectious Diseases- Consultant Physician, Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama, HNB Chief Transformation Officer/ Trustee HNB Sustainability Foundation ,Chiranthi Cooray, HNB Head of Human Capital Management, Indrajith Senadhira, HNB Senior Manager- Facilities Management, Roshan Fernando, HNB Officer in Charge of Sustainability, Shanel Perera and HNB Sustainability Assistant, V Disharatnam (left to right)
Through the first round of employee contributions, HNB plans to install window blinds, chairs, tables and fabricate a timber podium to make the facility user ready for training sessions. HNB’s dedicated team of engineers, together with the Sustainable Business Unit recommended the project to the HNB team after visiting the facility, which is part of a larger project under construction at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (IDH).
Previously, HNB donated 64 fire extinguishers to the hospital to protect its medical stores and supported the installation of water tanks, for a supplementary water distribution system to the wards. The bank also installed insulated flexible ducts to improve airflow at the hospital.
HNB delivered urgently required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the Kurunegala and Karapitiya teaching hospitals during the height of the pandemic.