Amana Takaful, Sri Lanka's pioneer and leader of the Takaful way of insurance recently launched its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative named "Amana Takaful Cares". The initiative saw the formalisation of the already existing activities surrounding those needing assistance and also the inclusion of customers and the general public that is symbolic of the participatory nature of the Takaful concept.

"Having served in Sri Lanka for 10 years we thought in opportune to launch Amana Takaful Cares. In the past we have helped many individuals and government and non-government organisations, however we felt the need to structure our efforts to focus on health care and children, said Mr.Ehsan Zaheed, Director/ CEO of Amana Takaful PLC.

The CSR programme, Amana Takaful Cares revolves around the enhancement of educational standards of children in rural areas, guiding street children towards education, development of health care in rural areas and economic development among the less privileged.

"Takaful is based on the concept of participation and mutuality and it was only natural for us to think of developing an inclusive programme that brings together our staff, clients, business partners and like minded members of the general public, said Mr. Zaheed.

As its first step a donation was made recently to the Colombo General Hospital with the participation of the Deputy Director of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Accident and Orthopaedic Service, Dr. Prasad Ariyawansa.

"The Colombo General Hospital treats approximately 300 patients daily through its out-patient and in-patient wards. Nearly 25 percent of our patients are admitted and treated for accident related injuries and this is the single most cause for admission for the hospital. According to a recent World Bank report Sri Lanka spends nearly 15 billion rupees annually on medical treatment, said Dr. Ariyawansa.

"There were only 2 Pulse Oxymetre units available at the hospital. The units are a dire need to keep track of the concentration of Oxygen in the patient's blood. We often have to keep moving the units to serve the 300 beds in the ward, said Dr. Ariyawansa, stressing the situation of the trauma unit at the Colombo General Hospital. "The portable unit provided by Amana Takaful Cares is a great relief to patients as well as the nurses who help them recuperate from the difficult condition they are in, he added. "We hope more can be done this way and the needs of patients are great, appealed Dr. Ariyawansa, also noting the need for more assistance from those who can.

Amana Takaful Cares intends to decentralise its focus to help the community surrounding its branch network. In view of this deserving charities and organisations have been identified and are being chosen as recipients of donations. As part of the effort to include all stakeholders a system of collection and distribution of donations has been developed. All branches have been equipped with envelopes and drop boxes for like minded clients and members of the general public to contribute towards charities. What is special about this system is that donations of a particular area is channelled to a worthy charity and social organisation in the respective location.

"By empowering our clients and the public in the respective areas where we operate we hope to channel donations to identified organisations in the area where they reside. This we hope will help us synergise and facilitate efforts in the area to help the charity and give it more publicity, said Mr. Zaheed. However, donors are also free to choose their charity and Amana Takaful Cares would help fulfil their intentions, he added.

"As the facilitator of this programme Amana Takaful Cares will also match each donation up to a certain amount to encourage donors to contribute more and to spread the good word and helping each other, stressed Mr. Zaheed.

Simultaneous to the donation at the Colombo General Hospital a donation was also made at branch level to a needy family in Galle. The family, with three children and parents was identified through a school. The recipient was their four year old son who is mentally and physically challenged since birth. As the father, of three, is a daily wage earner the family found it difficult to manage their livelihood. A special mention was also made at an event to invitees consisting of organisations in Galle and key opinion leaders highlighting the need.

Amana Takaful through the years has been involved in similar stead providing donations to schools and hospitals as well as individuals. Established in 1999 the company has been serving Sri Lankans for the past decade by providing both General and Life insurance solutions based on the Takaful concept. The Takaful concept is a concept based on mutuality and human friendly principles that not only secures the clients interests but also ensures that investments and dealings and of high moral standards. The company was also recently awarded licence in the Maldives to expand its operations.

Source: Amana Takaful