Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) Director General Professor Patrick Kamalo has appealed to commercial banks in Malawi to help provide foreign exchange for the procurement of drugs as public hospitals continue to face critical shortages.
Kamalo made the appeal on Thursday in Blantyre when NBS Bank donated 30 adjustable and movable hospital beds and assorted drugs worth K103 million to the children’s cancer ward at QECH.
“We thank NBS Bank for this timely support, but we also beg all commercial banks in the country to support us with forex for drug purchases,” said Kamalo.
The hospital has identified drug availability as one of the major challenges affecting the provision of healthcare, with Kamalo saying support from the banking sector could help ease pressure on public hospitals.
Speaking during the handover, NBS Bank Chief Finance Officer Ernest Tembo said the bank remains committed to supporting the health sector and improving access to essential treatment.
“Supporting healthcare is ultimately an investment in Malawi’s future. Every child receiving treatment today represents a future parent, entrepreneur, leader or contributor to our society,” said Tembo.
He said the donation reflects the bank’s “We Care A Little More” philosophy by turning its commitment to communities into practical support.
Tembo said the initiative is also intended to ease the burden on families dealing with childhood cancer by improving both the hospital environment and access to treatment.
The 30 adjustable beds are expected to improve comfort for children undergoing treatment while also making it easier for healthcare workers to attend to patients.
NBS Bank says the support is part of its broader corporate social responsibility efforts in the health sector.
