Stanbic Bank boosts Palabek Kal Health Centre IV with shs16 million medical equipment

In a momentous boost to healthcare services in Northern Uganda, Stanbic Bank Uganda on Monday officially donated essential medical equipment worth shs16 million to Palabek Kal Health Centre IV in Lamwo district.

The donation package includes 10 hospital mattresses, 100 boxes of mama kits, a blood pressure (BP) machine, weighing scales for both newborns and adults, a glucometer, a pulse oximeter, and other vital supplies intended to enhance patient care and reduce maternal and infant health risks.

According to Isaac Okuma, Stanbic Bank’s Regional Manager, the gesture is part of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda aimed at bridging service delivery gaps in underserved communities.

“We understand that access to quality health services is a right, not a privilege. Our support to Palabek Kal Health Centre IV is driven by our deep commitment to improving the wellbeing of Ugandans, especially in rural communities,” Okuma said during the handover ceremony.

Palabek Kal Health Centre IV, a lifeline for thousands in Palabek sub-county and surrounding areas, many of them refugees and returnees, has long grappled with critical shortages of basic medical equipment.

Health officials say the donation will significantly impact service delivery, particularly in maternity and inpatient care.

Dr. Ojok Patrick Kijumi, the Senior Medical officer Palabek Kal Health Centre IV, described the donation as “timely and lifesaving.”

“Our maternity ward receives an average of 80 mothers per month, yet we’ve been struggling with inadequate mama kits and mattresses. This support will not only ease our work but restore dignity for our patients,” he said.

The local community expressed deep appreciation for the donation. Many residents shared firsthand experiences of the hardship they have faced due to limited resources at the facility.

Grace Oyella, a mother of three and resident of Palabek Kal, praised the initiative saying, “I gave birth to my second child on the cold floor because there were no beds. I’m so happy to hear that more mattresses and mama kits are donated at the facility and it will help so many mothers.”

Agnes Lanyero, 28, is an expectant mother in her third trimester. She said: “I have been worried about delivering here because the last time I came with my sister, she had to share a mattress with another patient. Knowing that more mama kits and beds are available gives me confidence to come back.”

Ocan Bosco, a father of five from Paluda Parish, added; “This health center has helped many of us, but we knew the workers were overwhelmed and lacked tools. I thank Stanbic bank for remembering us. Our women will no longer suffer in silence.”

Patrick Oyat, an elder from Palabek Kal, said; “In our time, we feared hospitals because of poor services. But seeing a bank come to support health shows the world is changing for the better.”

Akello Florence, a midwife at the health facility, shared her excitement; “We sometimes used one scale for both adults and babies. Now with proper equipment, we can give better care and respond faster to emergencies.”

Hilary Onek, Uganda’s Minister of Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees, lauded Stanbic Bank for investing in local health infrastructure.

“This support from Stanbic Bank is a big boost to our local health system. It will go a long way in improving maternal health and patient comfort especially in hard-to-reach areas like Palabek.”

Echoing the minister’s remarks, Assistant Resident District of Lamwo District, Robinson Oyo, emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing gaps in the health sector:

“The government alone cannot meet all the health demands of our people. When corporate institutions step in, like Stanbic bank has done today, the entire community benefits.”

Pamela Alwoch, Manager of Stanbic Bank’s Kitgum branch, stressed that this is not a one-off effort. “This donation is just one part of our long-term commitment to improving lives. We are here to partner with communities for sustainable growth be it through health, education, or financial literacy.”

Stanbic Bank Uganda continues to lead the way in corporate-driven social transformation, with initiatives that have touched lives in education, health, environment, and financial empowerment across the country.

As the residents of Palabek Kal celebrate this generous gesture, the message is clear: private sector involvement in healthcare can be a powerful tool in achieving equity and saving lives.