TANZANIA: TANZANIA Red Cross Society (TRCS) has introduced new electronic membership cards which comes with insurance package and supports bank transactions.
The card, introduced over the weekend in Dodoma was launched by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy Dr Doto Biteko supported by National Bank of Commerce (NBC).
Dr Biteko said the effort of the bank including financial inclusion in the country is continuing with the government in developing diverse services aimed at empowering citizens and addressing the challenges they face.
“I commend NBC for these exemplary efforts, and my call to financial institutions is for them to collaborate with the government in the implementation of various projects, which seek to resolve the challenges confronting citizens, such as the construction of water infrastructure, as well as continuing to mobilise more citizens into the formal financial services system,” he pointed out.
The card was introduced as a gesture to celebrate 62nd anniversary of TRCS that was accompanied with exhibitions. TRCS President David Kihenzile said that they have 1,600 branches throughout in the country with over 1.0 million members.
“We serve refugee camps such as Nyarugusu as well as other areas such as Nduta and Mtendeli, where throughout Red Cross has been providing humanitarian services,” Mr Kihenzile, who is also the Deputy Minister of Transport, said.
NBC Central Zone Manager, Miraji Msuya, said the collaboration between the lender and the TRCS, was driven by the shared commitment of the two institutions to volunteerism in supporting the community on various humanitarian issues, including the provision of diverse forms of assistance in response to the effects of various disasters affecting the nation.
He added: “It is due to the similarity in serving the community that is what you are witnessing today. The new electronic membership cards in addition to being Red Cross membership cards also enable them to conduct various banking transactions.” Elaborating on the benefits of the card to the members, Mr Msuya said it is linked to a health insurance service for the members, which enables member(s) to be compensated in the event of disability or their family to be paid different amounts in the event of the member’s demise.
“Additionally, this card enables the member(s) to pay membership fees, make various payments including for television subscriptions and for NBC Premier League matches,” he said.
