Nations Trust Bank recently partnered with the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) to extend their services for the doctors and staff of the hospital as well as its visitors with the opening of an ATM. Located at the entrance to the Doctor’s quarters and opposite the Bandaranaike Building, the ATM will offer cash withdrawals, payment of utility bills, checking account balances and transfer of funds within the account. American Express Card members also have the facility to obtain cash advances at the ATM. In addition to the host of services provided by the ATM, this will also facilitate services for cards connected to the cirrus and maestro network

Declared open by the Chairman of Nations Trust Bank Ajit Gunawardene together with the Director of the National Hospital Dr Hector Weerasingha, the ATM will fulfill a much needed service in being a quick and convenient way to access funds for staff, visitors and patients within the National Hospital premises.

Speaking at the ceremony Ajit Gunawardene Chairman Nations Trust Bank PLC said, “We are pleased to partner with the National Hospital of Sri Lanka in providing this much needed ATM machine. Through our partnership, we are glad to extend our services through the special tailor-made financial solutions packages specifically for the Doctors and support staff at the Hospital. ” Gunawardene also affirmed the Bank’s support towards doctors in the provinces and outstation areas, as an extension of this partnership. As a mark of solidarity towards this partnership, the Bank further assisted the NHSL in upgrading the facilities at the doctor’s lounge as well as the crèche used by the children of the staff working at the hospital.

Dr Hector Weerasingha, Director of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka further added, “This is a significant moment as the first private Bank steps in to be of assurance to the medical community. We are delighted to partner Nations Trust Bank and look forward to a continued relationship.”

Also speaking at the ceremony, Dr Upul Gunasekara, the Assistant Secretary of the GMOA added, “As the first private bank to open an ATM within the country’s largest and premier institution for medical care, this is truly a historic event. With 12,000 doctors registered with the GMOA and more than 1000 working at the NHSL, this partnership with the Bank is bound to be of immense benefit and value.”

The NHSL is the premier teaching hospital and the tertiary care facility in the country. Established in 1864 by the British Colonial Government, this has since expanded into a3000-bed hospital providing a wide spectrum of services. The hospital is funded by the Ministry of Health, with all services rendered free of charge. The NHSL, located on a 30-acre block of land, in close proximity to the Medical Faculty, employs a staff of nearly 5000 including 80 Consultants and over 1000 doctors. Along with the De Soysa Maternity Hospital, Castle Street Hospital for Women, Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, Institute of Cardiology and the Eye Hospital, the NHSL function as the main teaching facility for the Medical Faculty.