Centenary Bank Limited Donates K5 Million to Assist Pregnant Women Affected by Cyclone Freddy

Malawi - Centenary Bank Limited, formerly known as MyBucks Banking Corporation, has donated K5,000,000 to the Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Malawi (AOGM) to assist pregnant women who have lost their homes and medical records due to cyclone Freddy, writes Moses Nyirenda.

During the handover ceremony on Monday, Centenary Bank Limited's Head of Retail and SME Banking, Mayamiko Kalizang'oma, said the bank decided to focus on pregnant women to help protect unborn babies among other things.

"Actual life starts at pregnancy, and we would not want the unborn babies to not receive the necessary attention. The bank believes that the K5,000,000 donation will go a long way toward providing urgent support to pregnant women in order to protect their unborn babies. This is in line with the bank's mission of making people's lives better through social impact," Kalizang'oma said.

He added that many pregnant women affected by cyclone Freddy have lost everything and may need support to have basic items to prepare for the birth of their children.

The donated funds would assist them in purchasing necessary items.

"We believe the funds will go a long way in providing these pregnant women with birth preparedness packages that include essential items such as zitenje, basins, torches, baby clothing, and other necessary needs," Kalizang'oma said.

AOGM Head of Department, Dr Luis Gadama, expressed gratitude for the donation, saying the focus on pregnant women was much needed.

"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," Gadama said.

He also explained that AOGM had provided antenatal care services to 165 pregnant women affected by Cyclone Freddy over the past week and that the donation from Centenary Bank Limited would help them support more expectant mothers hit by the cyclone.