HSBC provides NOCPCO 24-hour call centre with oximeters

The HSBC donation is received by NOCPCO Head and Sri Lanka Army Commander General Shavendra Silva in the presence of SLMA Immediate Past President Professor Indika Karunathilaka, SLMA Assistant Treasurer Dr. Sajith Edirisinghe, A-PAD SL Country Director Firzan Hashim, and other officials from SLMA and NOCPCO 

• Initiative in support of home quarantined persons

On behalf of HSBC Sri Lanka, A-PAD Sri Lanka Country Director Firzan Hashim hands over 300 fingertip pulse oximeters to SLMA Immediate Past President Professor Indika Karunathilaka and SLMA Assistant Treasurer Dr. Sajith Edirisinghe, to be immediately dispatched for the use of quarantined persons

HSBC Sri Lanka donated a stock of 300 fingertip pulse oximeters to the 1904 and 247 24-hour call centre which is jointly run by the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) and Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA). 

The call centre is established to address the concerns of home quarantined persons and is operated by medical professionals. The donation took place at NOCPCO, and A-PAD Sri Lanka Country Director Firzan Hashim, ceremonially handed over the oximeters to NOCPCO Head and Sri Lanka Army Commander General Shavendra Silva, on behalf of HSBC Bank. 

Commenting on the initiative, the General stated, “I thank HSBC Bank for this timely donation. The oximeters were a high need, and will now add immense value to our operations in attending to quarantined persons through the call centre. I emphasise that the support of all sectors in strengthening national efforts is commendable as it is only through united efforts that we can combat this pandemic.” Further, the General observed that HSBC has continued to be of great service to the nation and that through this donation to the NOCPCO, the bank can be rest assured that the oximeters will reach and serve most needy families.

Prior to this, another batch of oximeters were physically handed over to SLMA at A-PAD Office, Colombo 7. This was coordinated for the purpose of immediate dispatch and HSBC Sri Lanka took part virtually, in the presence of Interim Chief Executive Officer and Head of Wholesale Banking Stuart Rogers. The donation was received by SLMA Immediate Past President Professor Indika Karunathilaka and SLMA Assistant Treasurer Dr. Sajith Edirisinghe.

Speaking at the event, Professor Indika Karunathilaka stated that the establishment of the call centre was an integrated patient healthcare pathway which enabled services to vulnerable persons with much efficiency. The Professor mentioned that the efficiency of the call centre was such that the caller’s query was addressed in less than two minutes of waiting time. The idea was to ensure early response rather than delayed response with the sole aim of saving more lives. 

Dr. Sajith Edirisinghe added that the oximeters will be especially helpful in detecting COVID-19 symptoms when calls are received with concerns of the same. “This allows more efficiency in the procedure, whereby the oxygen levels of concerned parties can be checked, and if below normal, they are asked to quarantine at home. The oximeter is given to the family and following revived conditions, it will be retrieved by the army using GPS tracking to keep tabs on the homes using the facility. Thereafter, the machine will be cleaned and given to another family with similar concerns in rotation method,” he added. 

Stuart Rogers was glad to note this, which assured that the sustainability of the operation would be maintained, and thanked SLMA as well as NOCPCO for the tireless services that the health sector and frontline workers were providing in the battle against the pandemic. Rogers emphasised that HSBC SL, as a reputed private sector entity, was pleased to support a national health cause of this nature and recalled how the bank in partnership with A-PAD SL had responded to the needs of COVID-19 Treatment Centres, Intermediate Care Centres and patients since the onset of the pandemic in 2020.

On behalf of HSBC Sri Lanka, A-PAD Sri Lanka Country Director Firzan Hashim ceremonially hands over fingertip pulse oximeters to NOCPCO Head and Sri Lanka Army Commander General Shavendra Silva, in the presence of SLMA Assistant Treasurer Dr. Sajith Edirisinghe