Oana Ilaș, Deputy CEO, Retail Banking at Banca Transilvania, speaks in Revista Biz about a different kind of numbers — the ones that change lives: investments in medical infrastructure. In the interview, she underscores that the future begins where life begins — in maternity wards, in neonatal units, in places where every gesture and every piece of equipment can make the difference.

The discussion took place in the context of the programme “Supporting the Toughest Beginnings”, run by Save the Children Romania, Mastercard and Banca Transilvania. It is a wide-reaching initiative, built with care and responsibility, to improve the care of premature newborns and to offer their families the support they need in the most fragile moments.

This is a conversation about empathy and responsibility. For Oana Ilaș, it is a personal project, seen through the eyes of a mother who knows how precious a child’s first moments are and how much it matters when someone takes care of beginnings.

Why does Banca Transilvania invest in the health of communities?

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

It is not only about funding, but about meaningfully helping to solve issues that directly affect people’s lives. For us, this is 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 — 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 everyone.

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

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 signals a responsibility that can no longer be postponed. The right interventions in the first days and months of life can radically change a child’s trajectory. A review of the healthcare system made it clear: a shortage of modern equipment, a deficit of specialized staff, and the need for coherent postnatal monitoring mechanisms.

At the same time, we knew we could build a strong partnership with Save the Children Romania and Mastercard — organizations with both experience and real implementation capacity. This combination of urgent need and the right partners made the difference in our decision. For me, the project also has a profound personal dimension. In 2010, I went through the experience of giving birth to a premature baby. I know what uncertainty and fear feel like, and how much access to medical expertise and appropriate equipment matters. My daughter received the best care possible, and that changed her path. 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 physician can make the difference between vulnerability and hope.

Why is this a strategic priority for BT?

We see infant mortality and prematurity not only as medical issues, but as major social issues that reflect structural inequalities. The gaps between hospitals in major university centres and those in small towns or rural areas are still large. When, out of more than 15,000 babies born preterm each year, nearly 1,000 lose their lives before turning one, it is clear we are facing a national priority. For us, being relevant means stepping in where we can generate real, lasting impact.

What role does Banca Transilvania play in the project’s sustainability?

We act as a strategic partner, not just a funder. Our support targets infrastructure upgrades — high-performance equipment for maternity wards — as well as investment in people, through continuous training and sub-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 knowledge transfer, strengthening the system’s capacity and creating a mechanism that continues to work after the programme ends.

How do you measure impact?

At BT, we measure impact both quantitatively and qualitatively. We track the number of newborns benefiting from improved care, the number of trained professionals and the integration of equipment into the day-to-day work of maternity wards. At the same time, we assess how the postnatal monitoring network functions and continuity of care after discharge. Beyond the figures, the most important indicator is 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 the investment has achieved its purpose.

How can BT clients get involved?

I believe people want to be part of initiatives that matter. Our role is to make involvement easier and build trust. Through transparent communication, concrete examples and simple digital tools — such as donating via BT Pay or through the BT Comunitate platform — we make it easy to take part. Last year, more than RON 2 million was donated via BT Pay. It is a clear sign that when the process is simple and the impact is visible, people respond. Through “Supporting the Toughest Beginnings”, we are making a simple and profound commitment: to be there where beginnings are fragile and where support makes the difference.

Save the Children Romania, Mastercard and Banca Transilvania, together

Thoughts from Save the Children Romania and Mastercard representatives about “Supporting the Toughest Beginnings”, for Revista Biz: 

• Gabriela Alexandrescu, Executive President, Save the Children Romania: The Fight to Rewrite the Future
• Cosmin Vladimirescu, General Manager for Mastercard Romania and Croatia: A Mission with Long-Term Impact

The story continues.