Standard Bank has become the first commercial bank in the country to respond to President Lazarus Chakwera’s declaration of State of National Disaster, announcing that it has released K112 million to go towards the provision of Covid-19 emergency medical equipment and supplies.

Standard Bank Chief Executive Philip Madinga indicates, in a statement, that this brings the bank’s total contribution to coronavirus response initiatives to K214 million after it spent K102 million towards the same cause during the first wave of the pandemic.

“The immediate release of the additional K112 million is our swift response to the current Covid-19 emergency. The funds will specifically go towards the purchase of vital supplies and the replenishing of medical supplies critically running low in the hardest hit facilities in Blantyre, Lilongwe, Zomba and Mzuzu,” said Madinga.

Standard Bank Chief Executive, Philip Madinga, says Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Mzuzu Central Hospital, Kamuzu Central Hospital and Zomba General Hospital will each receive refills of oxygen, personal protective equipment for frontline healthcare workers and care-givers as well as patient monitors.

He says this is part of the additional K112 million donation released today as part of the bank’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.