LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Realising the gap in the provision of needs to pregnant women, who have been homeless due to Tropical Cyclone Freddy, Centenary Bank Limited has given the Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Malawi (AOGM) MK5 million to provide antenatal care services and other essential items to them.
AOGM has already provided antenatal care services to 165 pregnant women over the past week, as such the donation from Centenary Bank Limited will go a long way in enhancing their services to expectant mothers hit by cyclone Freddy.
As if Tuesday, 21 March 2023, the number of displaced people was at 553,614 with 543 camps set to accommodate the displaced.
The death toll had risen from 499 to 507 with 1,332 injuries. The number of reported missing persons was at 537 from 427.
The bank’s Head of Retail and SME Banking, Mayamiko Kalizang’oma said the bank decided to focus on pregnant women as they are often overlooked when it comes to relief efforts.
He, therefore hoped that funds will go a long way in providing urgent attention to this group in the affected areas.
“We understand that many of these women have lost everything and have no basic items to prepare for the birth of their children.
“Therefore, we have decided to donate MK5,000,000 to the Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Malawi to assist with this noble cause. We believe the funds will go a long way with providing them with birth preparedness packages that include essential items such as zitenje, basins, torches, baby clothing and other necessary needs”.
In his remarks, Head of Department for AOGM, Dr. Luis Gadama expressed his gratitude for the donation and stated that the focus on pregnant women was much needed.
He commended Centenary Bank for their shifted focus onto pregnancy, stating that “pregnancy does not stop” and that pregnant mothers deserve to be well taken care of.
Gadama also stated that the coming together of Centenary Bank Limited CSR and AOGM’s technical expertise will serve the cyclone Freddy victims well.
“The focus on pregnant women is much needed, and the donation will help in providing urgent attention and care to this group.
“It is hoped that more organizations will follow Centenary Bank’s lead in focusing on often overlooked segments of the population when providing relief efforts,” said Gadama.
Centenary Bank is owned by the Centenary Rural Development Group and the Lilongwe Archdiocese of the Catholic Church.
