StanChart extends collaboration with SAJIDA Foundation for COVID-19 treatment
Standard Chartered has reiterated its commitment to help Bangladesh overcome the coronavirus pandemic by pledging to partially bear the daily treatment costs for 80 COVID-19 patients at SAJIDA Hospital, a dedicated treatment centre for those infected with the novel virus.
The London-based bank had previously funded the daily treatment of 40 other COVID-19 patients at the same hospital.
The ongoing pandemic is a health crisis of unprecedented proportions that required a concerted and sustained response.
Therefore, Standard Chartered is proud to expand its proud to extend its partnership with Sajida Foundation through this initiative, said Bitopi Das Chowdhury, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing at Standard Chartered Bangladesh.
"I would also like to express my sincerest gratitude to all the health workers who are bravely leading the fight against COVID-19," he added.
SAJIDA Foundation, a local NGO that provides medical, financial and technical assistance to the marginalised, is trying to introduce a new treatment model which should be sufficient to cure mildly and moderately affected patients.
The organisation plans to complete this task by using remote consultation and community health workers while the severely affected patients will receive treatment at the hospital.
"We expect to treat over 5,000 COVID-19 patients in the coming months across multiple districts in Bangladesh," said SAJIDA Foundation CEO Zahida Fizza Kabir, adding that they are thankful for Standard Chartered's continued support for coronavirus treatments in Narayanganj.
Since the coronavirus outbreak began, SAJIDA Foundation has helped over three million individuals in the country through a host of measures such as raising awareness, providing food, disinfecting slums and disbursing personal protective equipment.
The two hospitals operating under the foundation are both located in coronavirus hotspots and have treated over 20,000 patients since March.
Besides, the organisation introduced an online symptom checker and dedicated hotline numbers to provide general and mental health consultations.
Meanwhile, Standard Chartered announced a broad range of support measures for its customers following the COVID-19 outbreak as well. This includes but is not limited to: the scope to reschedule loans, fee waivers, easy cancellations and loan extension facilities.
The bank also initiated a $1 billion global financing program for companies that provide essential goods and services in a bid to help the world recover from the coronavirus fallout.
Moreover, Standard Chartered launched a $50 million support fund for affected communities across its global footprint.
In its fight against the pandemic, Standard Chartered is collaborating with BRAC to deliver support packages to 25,000 people from 5000 low-income families, residing in locked-down areas.
At the same time, the bank is working with the Kumudini Welfare Trust and City Group to deliver essential food items to 5000 distressed families from semi-urban and rural communities in Mirzapur, Tangail.