CTBC Bank (Philippines) Corp., a subsidiary of the largest and most-awarded private bank in Taiwan, recently donated PhP3.72 million to the Philippine General Hospital Medical Foundation, Inc. (PGHMFI) for the purchase of a brand new ambulance fully equipped with life support capabilities for use of the Department of Emergency Medicine of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

PGHMFI is a non-profit organization that serves as conduit of donations from various individuals, corporations, foundations and other funding agencies of the PGH.

“The Bank’s philanthropic efforts have always been focused on finding ways to uplift the lives of the various communities that it serves, and provides support and assistance to other meaningful causes,” said Oliver Jimeno, CTBC Bank President and Chief Executive Officer. “During these extraordinarily trying times of the pandemic, we are taking steps to help government hospitals in their COVID-19 response efforts. The pandemic has taught us the importance of providing first-line medical treatment, and speedy and safe transportation of patients who are in need of advanced lifesaving equipment,” Jimeno added.

The PGH has been chosen by CTBC Bank as the beneficiary of its ambulance donation given that it is the biggest COVID-19 referral hospital in the country, serving more than 600,000 patients annually, 98% of whom are indigent.

“We are grateful to partner with CTBC Bank in the fight against COVID-19. The Advanced Life Support Ambulance is important as it will allow PGH to help transport critically ill patients and provide emergency first response care for them while enroute to the emergency room,” said Dr. Telesforo Gana, Jr., Chairman and President of PGHMFI.

As with CTBC Bank Taiwan and its other overseas subsidiaries who have been helping COVID-19 relief efforts around the world, CTBC Bank Philippines has come forward since the onset of the pandemic to support the Philippine Children’s Medical Center and National Children’s Hospital through donations of protective equipment and disinfection supplies for use of hospital workers. Pediatric patients of these two children’s hospitals also received personal health and safety gears, learning kits and grocery items.