Mobilink Enabling Lady Health Workers

Islamabad – 10 January 2008: Mobilink, the country’s market leader in cellular services with over 30 million customers and part of the Orascom Telecom group, today announced, the launch of its pilot project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), GSMA Development Fund and Accenture Development Partnerships, to enhance the mobility and communication needs of Lady Health Workers (LHWs) in rural areas.

Signing ceremony between Mobilink, The Ministry of Health, The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and GSMA Development Fund, was held at a press conference in Islamabad, which was attended by Mr. Zouhair A. Khaliq, President & CEO, Mobilink; Dr. Assad Hafeez, National Coordinator LHW Program; Dr. Hulki Uz, Deputy Representative UNFPA; and Mr. Moatassim Aidrus, Project Manager, GSMA Development Fund.

Mobilink’s pilot project for the LHW ‘s includes a low-cost phone bundled with a Jazz SIM and a Mobilink PCO, that will enhance the mobility of Lady Health Workers, improve communication for timely referral of patients and allow the Lady Health Supervisors to monitor the activities of LHWs more efficiently. The test run of the project with 200 Lady Health Workers will start from Chakwal and Muzzafargarh districts in rural Punjab for a period of three months. Additionally, the Mobilink-PCO will provide an extra source of income for the LHW, improving their status amongst their communities.

Zouhair A. Khaliq, President & CEO, Mobilink, while addressing the media said, “The LHW project which is part of the government’s Program for Family Planning & Primary Health Care was in need of an effective & affordable plan to enhance the mobility and communication for the workers. Mobilink is committed to the enhancement and betterment of the community and has initiated this project under its CSR program to invest in the health of the local communities. This project aims to facilitate the LHW communication needs while adding to the quality of their good work. We appreciate the assistance of the Ministry of Health, the UNFPA, and the GSMA Development Fund, our partners in this nation-building initiative.”

Dr. Assad Hafeez, National Coordinator LHW Program, in his remarks appreciated the role and involvement of Mobilink and reiterated the need for the corporate sector to assist the government in addressing issues of national importance, particularly in the areas of health-care facilities.

The GSMA Development Fund is providing support in project management and facilitation activities for the pilot project. This includes working with Mobilink Pakistan to develop the business model, secure funding for nation wide rollout and help in ongoing project management. “The Lady Health Worker project is an excellent example of corporate social investment on the part of Mobilink and highlights the unique role that the mobile industry can play in development." said Dawn Haig-Thomas, director for the GSMA Development Fund.

Initiatives like the Lady Health Worker project will go a long way in demonstrating how mobile phones can play a critical role in maternal healthcare resulting in better healthcare of patients in the rural areas, bridging Pakistan’s digital divide, and the gap between the “have” and the “have-nots”, added Moatassim Aidrus, Project Manager for GSMA Development Fund.

Mobilink’s contribution to the health sector and facilitating local communities enables these institutions to
improve their communication network and reach out to their target audiences quickly and more effectively.