Oana Ilaș , Deputy General Manager of Retail Banking at Banca Transilvania, speaks in Biz Magazine about different numbers, about those that change lives: investments in medical infrastructure. In the interview, she emphasizes that the future begins where life begins – in maternity wards, in neonatology wards, in places where every gesture and every device can make a difference.

The discussion took place in the context of the "Supporting the Hardest Beginnings" program, run by Save the Children Romania, Mastercard and Banca Transilvania. It is a comprehensive initiative, built with care and responsibility, to improve the care of premature newborns and to offer their families the support they need in their most fragile moments.

It's a conversation about empathy and responsibility. For Oana Ilaș, it's a soul project, seen through the eyes of a mother who knows how precious a child's first moments are and how much it means when someone takes care of the beginnings.

Why does Banca Transilvania invest in community health?

At Banca Transilvania, we believe that the health of communities is the foundation on which the sustainable development of a society is built. Beyond our financial role, we assume the role of an active partner in the communities in which we live and work.

It's not just about funding, it's about making a real contribution to solving problems that directly impact people's lives. For us, it's a long-term commitment. We want to reduce regional disparities and create more equitable conditions so that every newborn has a real chance at life, no matter where they are born.

Investments in health – and especially in children’s health – are investments in the future. In people. In families. In stronger communities. And healthy communities are the ones that can grow, innovate, and build a better future for all.

What were the main criteria for allocating significant resources to access neonatal care?

We chose to get involved because we are talking about a real and painful problem. Romania has the highest infant mortality rate in the European Union, and prematurity remains the main cause. For us, this is not just a statistic. It is a signal that there is a responsibility that can no longer be postponed. Correct interventions in the first days and months of life can radically change the destiny of a child. The analysis of the medical system clearly showed: lack of modern equipment, shortage of specialized personnel, the need for coherent postnatal monitoring mechanisms.

At the same time, we knew we could build a solid partnership with Save the Children Romania and Mastercard – organizations with real experience and implementation capacity. This combination of urgent need and the right partners made the difference in our decision. For me, the project also has a deeply personal dimension. In 2010, I went through the experience of giving birth to a premature baby. I know what uncertainty and fear mean, but also how much access to medical expertise and appropriate equipment matters. My little girl benefited from the best possible care, and this changed her course. As a banker, I work with numbers and long-term strategies. As a parent, I know that sometimes a single piece of equipment or a single doctor can make the difference between vulnerability and hope.

How does BT see this crisis as a strategic priority?

We view infant mortality and prematurity not only as a medical problem, but as a major social one, reflecting structural inequalities. The differences between hospitals in large university centers and those in small towns or rural areas are still large. When out of over 15,000 premature babies born annually, almost 1,000 lose their lives before reaching their first birthday, it is clear that we are talking about a national priority. For us, being relevant means intervening where we can generate real and lasting impact.

What role does Banca Transilvania play in the sustainability of the project?

We assume the role of a strategic partner, not just a financier. Our support aims at modernizing the infrastructure – high-performance equipment for maternity hospitals – but also investing in people, through continuous training and over-specialization. In addition, the digital component for postnatal monitoring ensures continuity of care after discharge. I strongly believe in this integrated approach: infrastructure, skills, technology. Sustainability means transferring know-how, strengthening the capacity of the system and creating a mechanism that works even after the end of the program.

How do you measure impact?

At BT, we measure impact both quantitatively and qualitatively. We track the number of newborns receiving improved care, the number of trained professionals, and the integration of equipment into the current work of maternity hospitals. At the same time, we analyze the functioning of the postnatal monitoring network and the continuity of care after discharge. Beyond the numbers, however, the most important indicator is the long-term impact: preventing severe complications, reducing the risk of disabilities, and improving the quality of life of children and their families. Only then can we say that the investment has achieved its goal.

How can BT customers be involved?

I believe that people want to be part of initiatives that matter. Our role is to facilitate engagement and build trust. Through transparent communication, concrete examples and simple digital tools – such as donations through BT Pay or the BT Comunitate platform – we make engagement accessible. Last year, over 2 million lei were donated through BT Pay. It is a clear sign that when the process is simple and the impact is visible, people respond. With “We Support the Hardest Beginnings”, we make a simple and profound commitment: to be where the beginnings are fragile and where support makes a difference.

Save the Children Romania, Mastercard and Banca Transilvania, together

Thoughts from representatives of Save the Children Romania and Mastercard regarding “Supporting the Hardest Beginnings”, for BIZ magazine: 

• Gabriela Alexandrescu, Executive President of Save the Children Romania: The fight to rewrite the future
• Cosmin Vladimirescu, General Manager of Mastercard Romania and Croatia: Mission with long-term impact

The story goes on.