Jakarta, 11 September 2020 – As part of its global efforts to combat COVID-19 and the impact of the virus around the world, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Group (SMBC Group) has donated Rp 1.3 billion (equal to 10 million yen) to Perhimpunan Dokter Umum Indonesia (PDUI) to support medical response efforts across Indonesia. Previously, SMBC Group had also donated 100 million yen (equal to Rp 13.17 billion) to UNICEF Indonesia to assist the organization to expand its response programs in mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic affecting young people and women’s health and livelihoods throughout the country.
“The world is going through a crisis that will stand in our collective memory. In such an unstable global environment, everyone in our SMBC Group family is committed to supporting those in the front lines of this pandemic,” said Ryuji Nishisaki, Senior Managing Executive Officer at SMFG. “We are incredibly proud to support organizations across the globe that are providing immediate resources and help to those who need it, and we remain humbled by their efforts. This donation from SMBC Group to PDUI once again exemplifies our commitment to continue supporting Indonesians, especially in a time of pandemic.”
PDUI is chosen as recipient due to its long time cooperation with PT Bank SMBC Indonesia Tbk (Bank SMBCI), a subsidiary of SMBC Group. The cooperation began in 2010 with the program standardization and implementation of Layanan Kesehatan (Health Service), which provided monthly health check-ups to Bank SMBCI’s customers from pensioners segment. In 2019, the Health Services were provided at 191 branches across Indonesia and reached on average 7,000 beneficiaries (customers) per month.
“Cooperation with Bank SMBCI has given many benefits for both the Indonesian community as well as PDUI. Through the cooperation, we are able to educate the public about diseases prevention and healthy living promotion,” said dr. Abraham Andi Padlan Patarai, M.Kes., Chairman of PDUI. “Regarding the donation from SMBC Group, we are very grateful to be chosen as recipient of this incredibly generous donation. We will use it to expand our focus in assisting doctors on the front line fighting the spreading of as well as treating the patients of COVID-19. As we know, many of our colleagues were exposed and even passed away as a result of contracting COVID-19. Therefore, we will use the fund to provide more personal protective equipment (PPE), supplement, regular health check-ups and accelerated trainings for doctors to further prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
SMBC Group through Bank SMBCI as its subsidiary will continue to assess ways to address the needs of people in Indonesia as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves.
Previously in June, through SMBCI Peduli initiative, Bank SMBCI’s employees have gathered fund donation amounting 166 million rupiah which was also channeled through Perhimpunan Dokter Umum Indonesia (PDUI) to provide PPEs to various health facilities in 10 provinces throughout Indonesia.
“We are deeply saddened by the terrible impact that coronavirus is wreaking on lives and livelihoods everywhere. The world is facing its greatest trial in decades. In such uncertain times, we need to stay united and prioritize collaboration to help those directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are grateful for having the opportunity to partner with PDUI to assist our health facility workers who are facing severe challenges at their workplaces,” concluded Ongki Wanadjati Dana, President Director of Bank SMBCI.
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