GP starts safe motherhood, infant care programme
Star Business Report
Grameenphone, the leading cell phone operator, has launched a programme named 'safe motherhood and infant care' in association with Pathfinder International to provide free comprehensive primary healthcare to poorest segment of the population in the country. Under the project, free services will be given to all poor pregnant mothers and infants in 61 districts, with special focus on the hard-to-reach areas, particularly in the coastal areas. An agreement to this effect was signed between Grameenphone and NGO Service Delivery Program (NSDP) of USAID yesterday. Erik Aas, managing director of Grameenphone, and Dr Robert Timmons, chief of party of NSDP, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations. Pathfinder International is the managing partner of NSDP. The Grameenphone will provide all necessary assistance to the NSDP to facilitate free comprehensive primary healthcare services to the poorest of the poor in the country for safe motherhood and infant care, according to the project. Geeteara Safiya Choudhury, adviser for women and children affairs, was present as chief guest at the signing ceremony. In her speech, the adviser urged the private companies to come forward with their corporate social responsibility (CSR) to mitigate the sufferings of the poorest people. She said, "Along with the government activities, if every company comes forward to do something for the poor, a poverty-free beautiful Bangladesh can be made." Grameenphone initiative will help the country to achieve its millennium development goals (MDGs) by 2015, hopes Erik Aas. He said, "Grameenphone also lays emphasis on the fact that increasing attention needs to be given to the hard-to-reach and economically disadvantaged population as they are the ones who have the least access to healthcare." It is the first nationwide sponsorship in the health sector by a leading corporation representing a long-term CSR strategy. The project will be expanded to the selected areas to cater to the needs of the poorest families in Bangladesh, said Timmons. Roger D Carlson, acting chief of USAID mission, Sheri Nouane Johnson, deputy team leader of the office of population health care and nitration of USAID, and Kafil H S Muyeed, director of new business division of Grameenphone, were present at the function.
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Grameenphone Managing Director Erik Aas and NSDP Chief of Party Dr Robert Timmons exchange documents after signing an agreement in Dhaka yesterday. Under the deal, GP will help NSDP provide free healthcare for safe motherhood and infant care. Adviser Geeteara Safiya Choudhury is also seen. PHOTO: STAR |
