Standard Chartered Bank the oldest British Bank in the Country in collaboration with its implementing partner, the Bo Anglican Diocese has launched the distribution of 16,000 long lasting insecticide treated nets for Bo and Pujehun Districts at a ceremony held at the Bo Town Hall. The “nets for life” program in Sierra Leone is focused on the reduction of the transmission of malaria parasite through mosquito control programs and also focuses on educational programs so as to raise awareness on the long term sustainable use of mosquito nets for vulnerable people, under 5 children, pregnant women, the chronically ill and the elderly. The CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Albert Saltson said over 16,000 insecticide treated nets will be distributed to different target groups in Sierra Leone which will be followed by house to house malaria education by trained and qualified community agents using local community gathering to carry out the educational programs. The CEO further explained that “Standard Chartered Bank is committed to fight malaria in Africa because its effects kills and also slows the very economies in Africa that we are helping to develop,” adding that it is a major constraint to sustainable economic development. He also said that, SCB identified an opportunity to assist African governments’ local health care plans to make a difference by supporting comprehensive efforts to eliminate malaria, adding success is about partnership in mitigating and control of malaria.
Concluding Albert Saltson said Standard Chartered Bank is committed and determined to work with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and other health sectors to extend the ‘nets for life’ programme beyond 2009 to ensure free malaria is achievable in Sierra Leone.
Keynote speaker at the launching ceremony Sheku Tejan Koroma Minister of Health and Sanitation expressed thanks and appreciation to Standard Chartered Bank and its implementing partner the Anglican Dioceses of Bo for the distribution of 16,000 long lasting insecticide treated nets for Bo and Pujehun Districts. He said the nets for life program will complement government’s efforts in ensuring quality health care services in Sierra Leone; he added that Standard Chartered Bank has demonstrated its involvement in many community partnerships. The Minister made mention of the fully furnished out patient unit at the Bo Government Hospital, skills training center for Girl mothers in Bo and the construction of an orphanage in Wellington to fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS.
He said “I am heartened by the distribution and can assure the management of Standard Chartered Bank that they will continue to enjoy the confidence of both the government of Sierra Leone and its people for which the nation is grateful,” he said.
Rt. Rev Emmanuel J. S. Tucker of the Anglican Diocese of Bo said the nets for life programme will help to combat malaria in the country adding that the church will ensure that the target beneficiaries receive one mosquito net each. Tamimu M. Kallon Vice Chairman of the Pharmacies Board in the South chaired the ceremony while meaningful contributions were made by the City Mayor Wusu Sannoh and the pouring of libation was performed by the Acting Chiefdom Speaker Festus John Foray.
By Saidu Bah