Grameenphone and Telenor Health yesterday rolled out a new digital service, Tonic, in Bangladesh to take healthcare services to the underserved.

Tonic, an outcome of extensive research and development process that included input from health experts, medical practitioners and ordinary people, covers a range of wellness and health needs in four categories.

Tonic Jibon offers tips and information via SMS, web and Facebook to help members live a healthy life by eating well, staying active and being mentally refreshed on a daily basis. Tonic Daktar provides access to knowledgeable and friendly advice from a doctor with a phone call -- 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

Tonic Discounts helps make hospital care more accessible by extending concession of up to 40 percent on fees at over 50 popular hospitals across the country, while Tonic Cash service offers members Tk 500 in cash to assist in covering costs if they are hospitalised for three nights or more.

"Tonic is an example of Telenor's commitment to Bangladesh and Asian markets," Vivek Sood, chief marketing officer of Telenor Group, said in a statement.

"Combining broad technical know-how and deep healthcare expertise, we are excited to reach people previously underserved and create further positive impact in support of the national health system."

All of Grameenphone's 56 million subscribers can join Tonic for free and access the benefits.

Any Grameenphone customer can join Tonic for free via USSD at *789#, online at www.mytonic.com, or by calling 789. 

"We look forward to playing a small role as an integrated part of the Bangladesh healthcare system," said Sajid Rahman, chief executive of Telenor Health.