HNB ‘Oba Venuwen Api’ initiative donates ultrasound scanner to IDH

HNB Executive Director/ Chief Operating Officer, Dilshan Rodrigo handed over the Ultrasound scanning machine to IDH Director, Dr. Hasitha Attanayake and IDH Consultant Radiologist, Dr. Kishani Abeywardena in the presence of (from left) IDH Medical Officer, Dr. Ridmi Samarasiri, IDH Consultant Cardiologist, Dr. Ajith Dissanayake, IDH Consultant Physician, Dr. A.G.S Asiri, IDH Medical Officer, Dr. Azad Samad and HNB Chief Transformation Officer/ DGM, ChiranthiCooray, HNB Senior Manager - Facilities Management, Roshan Fernando, HNB CHRO/ AGM Human Capital and Banking Services, Indrajith Senadhira, HNB Project Lead - Sustainable Business, V. Disharatnam and HNB Officer in Charge- Sustainable Business, Shanel Perera.

In an effort to enhance facilities for COVID-19 patients at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), Sri Lanka’s leading private sector bank HNB PLC donated a state-of-the-art ultrasound scanning machine through its ‘Oba Venuwen Api’ initiative to support the healthcare sector.

The scanner valued at Rs. 7.5 million will be primarily used for diagnosis and intervention related to COVID-19 and other infectious diseases at the hospital. HNB Executive Director/ Chief Operating Officer- Dilshan Rodrigo and officials presented the ultrasound machine to IDH Director- Dr. Hasitha Attanayake and Consultant Radiologist - Dr. Kishani Abeywardena.

“Our ability to combat the spread of COVID-19 is a direct result of our healthcare professionals’ courageous and diligent efforts, especially those at the IDH. With this donation, we convey our gratitude to the frontline medical staff, working tirelessly each day to help our nation recover. “These heroes have been on the frontlines of this battle from the very beginning, and we pledge to continue supporting the hospital and the healthcare sector in any way possible,” HNB Executive Director/ Chief Operating Officer Dilshan Rodrigo said.

Driven by HNB’s Sustainability Foundation, the Oba Venuwen Api initiative is funded by HNB employees contributing a day’s pay at the onset of the pandemic last year. The Bank matched the staff donation to establish the initiative, which has since been allocated for various projects aimed at uplifting healthcare service to combat the pandemic

Through this project, HNB delivered urgently required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to regional hospitals and MOH offices in the country during the height of the pandemic.

Notably, the Oba Venuwen Api initiative, together with the HNB Sustainability Foundation, also donated Rs. 20 million to revive micro-enterprises across the island earlier 
this year.

“HNB’s strategic focus on sustainability has withstood the test of time over the years. Sustainability is embedded into the Bank’s business model and CSR has evolved to a participatory volunteerism, be it in cash or kind by HNB staff,” Chief Transformation Officer/ Deputy General Manager L. Chiranthi Cooray said.