SMEs have always been at the forefront of economic growth all over the world and if you look closely, it’s the women who carry the load of most of these businesses. From agriculture to clothing to health, women are increasingly recognized as playing and holding vital roles in the SME industry, in all capacities.
In Kenya, women are incredibly vital in every single industry – but they keep facing hurdles even as they try and climb up the ladder. As much as several avenues have opened up for women especially in the past decade – even with the pandemic still looking on us.
Seeing as we’re speaking of the pandemic, health has been a constant topic of discussion. With the uncertainties of COVID-19, some people have stepped back from their businesses with many also unfortunately losing their jobs – with this, some citizens especially older & senior citizens have stepped back from regular hospital checkups and even self-diagnosing which is really dangerous.
Yesterday, I noticed quite a number of people going back to hospital checkups for diagnostic services like gastroenterology. Such branches of medicine which may look like they were underlooked during the pandemic, are seeing some relief both for the patients and frontline health workers – thanks to support from institutions like SBM Kenya.
As various sectors of the economy are gradually opening, frontline health workers including very busy doctors like Dr Edna Kamau, principal gastroenterologist at Upper Hill Gastroenterology Clinic of Digestive Care Specialists rely on fast, efficient, and reliable financial services that make their work easier.
Some of the products that SBM Bank have in their portfolio in support of women running, managing, and helping to manage their own businesses in this tough economy include services like Mobile to Bank that are not only accurate and effective but also time-saving for a frontline worker whose main concern at this time is working to save precious lives.
Speaking to some of these workers yesterday, SBM Bank has been incredibly supportive of their businesses by connecting these women to other powerful minded women, helping them whenever they had/have any financial queries with their accounts and businesses & giving incredible support to these women who especially need whatever support they need as they rise up the ranks.
