Sri Lanka’s leading private sector bank HNB PLC rolled out the second phase of its flagship Oba Venuwen Api nutrition initiative to support expectant mothers. The project is a steadfast steady continuation of the Banks’ effort to combat malnutrition among children and pregnant mothers.
HNB’s timely intervention will support women from disadvantaged communities who face challenges in procuring essentials. Working in collaboration with MOH offices, Divisional Secretariats, and midwives, the Bank selected a further 1,000 expectant mothers to 56 selected Customer Centers across the island to provide nutrition packs valued at Rs. 5000/- to each beneficiary for three consecutive months, starting from May.
“As we roll out the second phase of our Oba Venuwen Api initiative, we are determined to make a lasting impact on the lives of expectant mothers. By providing essential nutrition support, we aim to empower these women and pave the way for healthier futures for both the mother and child,” HNB Deputy General Manager – Sustainability and Corporate Communications L. Chiranthi Cooray said.
Seminars were organized with health care professionals to educate participants about pregnancy and the needs of new borns. This collaborative effort ensures that expectant mothers are provided with necessary nutrients for a healthy pregnancy while also educating them on practices to ensure their wellbeing.
The ‘Oba Venuwen Api’ initiative, driven by HNB’s Sustainability Foundation, is funded by HNB employees who contributed a day’s pay at the onset of the pandemic. The bank then matched the donations to establish the fund, which has since been allocated for various projects aimed at uplifting Sri Lankan during challenging times.
As part of the initiative, HNB has carried out several projects aimed at improving social welfare including the donation of VDI computers to the Cardiology Unit of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL), assisting cancer patients with financial aid, in addition to several donations to hospitals.
“Oba Venuwen Api” also extends to environmental sustainability efforts, where the bank continued to contribute to the Kanneliya Forest Conservation initiative. HNB is also recognised as the first Bank to receive the Carbon Neutral certification across all its operations in 2022, reiterating their commitment towards affirmative climate action.