The impact of the third wave COVID-19 on Myanmar’s People was severe due to extremely limited access to the healthcare system and a serious shortage in medical facilities. To support the Yoma Bank’s employees in such a dire external situation, the Bank rapidly implemented additional key support activities, including the launch of a COVID Crisis Response (CCR) team with 5 medical doctors. The CCR team was launched in August 2021 to provide timely medical care to impacted employees and their families. The CCR team is dedicated to supporting employees through any health-related matters, with a focus on both physical and mental well-being. Whether it be a virtual medical consultation, sending prescriptions door-to-door or even providing words of encouragement, the CCR team supports, triages, and assists employees and their families. To address the “infodemic” employees are facing, the team has also been undertaking wellness education activities and hosting webinars in collaboration with Pun Hlaing Hospital.

As part of Yoma Bank’s ongoing effort to prioritize the health and safety of its employees, Prudential Group Life Insurance policies with COVID Cover for all 3000+ employees were renewed and additional Health Insurance was procured for around 290 employees that are Manager-level and above. With such coverage, employees can have peace of mind knowing that their families and loved ones will be protected against any financial challenges in the event of unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances. To date, Prudential has reimbursed MMK 92.25 million to 92 Yoma Bank families.

Yoma Bank believes that protecting its People is crucial to achieve its mission and to better serve for its customers. Extremely limited access to medical facilities and oxygen during the third wave of COVID required Yoma Bank to procure oxygen concentrators for its People. The Bank procured a total of 30 oxygen concentrators for Yangon and Mandalay, which were lent out for use by employees in need. Pun Hlaing Hospital provided support for care, cleaning, and maintenance of the machines.

Yoma Bank has continued investing and supporting employees during pandemic as part of our ongoing “We Care” CSR program. Yoma Bank launched a COVID-19 Vaccination Program in the last week of August 2021, which offered free-of-charge vaccination for all employees and reasonably priced vaccination to the employee’s family members. Under the Program, employees of the Bank can register an unlimited number of family members and the Bank provides free vaccination for up to 2 family members of low-income employees. “Vaccine Donation” and “Emergency Cash Loan” programs were also made available so that employees in financial difficulty could secure vaccinations for their families. 92% of employees are vaccinated as of December 2021.