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 Kampala, Uganda: MTN Uganda, through the MTN (Uganda) Foundation and Stanbic Bank today opened a new Health Center (II) in Gulu District, Lela Obaro village, Paidongo Parish, Bobi Sub County.
The Lela Obaro II Health Center has a fully equipped OPD unit (out-patient-department), delivery unit, staff quarters, and is solar powered. It will increase access to health care in a Parish whose residents had to access health care by moving to the nearest health unit, Palenga health centre II in Palenga parish, 8km away or Bobi health centre III which is 9km away.
‘The MTN Foundation is happy to partner with the Government of Uganda in reaching the goal of expanding access of health care to hard to reach communities and thereby reaching the millennium development goal of increasing medical access. The construction of this health center in Lela Obaro, which has the capacity to serve 2000 patients, is certainly a step forward,’ said MTN Uganda’s Themba Khumalo.
‘’Stanbic Bank accepted with pleasure the invitation to be part of the Lela Obaro project as it fits in with our social action programme to provide support to the formally displaced people who returned home from IDP camps in northern Uganda. Our support included agricultural implements such as oxen, ox-ploughs, hoes, blankets, protected springs, educational help and many others,’’ says Head of Corporate and Investment Banking John Okulo.
The opening of the Lela Obara Health Center II was a well-attended occasion that brought together various stakeholders including the South African High Commissioner – H.E D.J.Qwelane, The State Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of International Relations – Honorable Okello Oryem, the Gulu LC 5 Vice chairman – Kitara Makmot, District Health Officials, and Representatives from MTN Uganda, Stanbic Bank and several Local leaders from the community.
‘As the 20 year LRA insurgency in Northern Uganda started to show signs of waning, formerly displaced persons begun to return from the camps, it was necessary to re build and set in place social amenities in the post conflict era. In order to facilitate the return of IDPs to their villages government called for support from development partners in the provision of health care facilities, schools etc. The South African High Commission under the leadership of, H.E. Thanduyise Henry Chiliza took up the initiative to mobilize for the construction of one health unit’ said State Minister of Foreign Affairs Honorable Okello Oryem who represented the Minister of Health.
‘As government we welcome this initiative by the MTN Foundation and their partners Stanbic Bank, and we applaud you for partnering with us in extending the reach of much needed health care services to the people of this village, and the surrounding areas. We would also like to express our most sincere gratitude to the South African High Commission for having initiated this process and now we can finally see the benefits of their actions.’ Hon. Okello Oryem added.
The establishment of the Health Center was as a result of a partnership between the MTN Foundation, who constructed the facility and Stanbic Bank, who equipped and furnished the center.
ABOUT STANBIC BANK UGANDA
Stanbic Bank Uganda, SBU, is a member of the Standard Bank group, an international financial group based in South Africa. Standard Bank, with headquarters in Johannesburg, has total assets of over USD 170 billion and employs about 50,000 people worldwide. Its network spans 17 sub-Saharan countries (including South Africa) and extends to 16 countries on other continents, including the key financial centres of Europe, the United States, South America and Asia.
In addition to banking, Standard Bank has a strategic interest in the insurance industry through its control of the Liberty Group, one of Africa's leading life offices and financial services groups. Visit www.stanbicbank.co.ug for more information.
ABOUT the MTN FOUNDATION
Launched in 2007, the MTN Foundation is a non profit organisation engaged in activities of general interest having a philanthropic focus on education, science & technology, music, arts & culture, health, Habitat for Humanity and other actions of humanitarian character, contributing to the promotion and protection of material heritage and national culture. The MTN Uganda Foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of the MTN Group in Uganda and has made over UGX 1.5 billion since the year 2007 in contributions to community focused projects that have wide ranging benefits and that are sustainable. The MTN Group is a global sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ and has exclusive mobile content rights for Africa and the Middle East. Visit www.mtn.com for more information.
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