Karachi, 13 August 2020: Standard Chartered, in partnership with Sightsavers International, the Bank’s Seeing is Believing programme implementation partner, is supporting the Pakistani community during these challenging times by supporting various relief projects.
To minimise the risks of COVID-19 for health care professionals in Pakistan, funds allocated will support the safety of frontline health professionals dealing with patients in project locations in Punjab and KPK province, operating in ways that are consistent with WHO guidelines.
Commenting on this, Ms. Khadija Hashimi, Head of Corporate Affairs and Brand & Marketing, said: “We are proud of the impact Standard Chartered’s Seeing is Believing programme has had in Pakistan. From our outreach to remote areas to focusing on diabetic retinopathy, from sponsoring cataract surgeries and spreading awareness through training lady healthcare workers to screening 1.5 million children’s eyesight, we have had a long and meaningful partnership with Sightsavers International.
She said that SCB focus has always been the maximum benefit that we can provide the Pakistani community. This recent pandemic has caused a shift in how we extend our support to the community as we have been working to provide relief to all those impacted, she added.
Commenting on this, Ms. MunazzaGillani, Country Director Sightsavers said that these PPE kits mainly includes gloves, medical masks, goggles, face shields, shoe covers, gowns and aprons and will be utilized for the most essential health care services in general and eye care services in particular for sight-threatening emergencies.
She said that the kits are procured through coordinated efforts with provincial health departments (consistent with international supply chain management standards) and with relevant provincial government coordination mechanisms.
