Vodafone Contributes To Healthcare Delivery

The global telecommunications phone giant, Vodafone, is up to make a significant contribution in the health service delivery in the country with the introduction of a public education programme to address myths surrounding health care that has engulfed the country for a long time.

Vodafone Healthline, which will air on television and radio, will also afford listeners and viewers the opportunity to consult for professional health advice using the mobile phone.

'The first part is all about education; answering questions about several sicknesses from sickle cell to pregnancy on rights steps to take and medications to have and what have you. The second part will be devoted to touching the lives of the ordinary Ghanaian,' the Head of Corporate Communications at Vodafone, Ms Carmen Bruce Annan told reporters at the launch of Healthline in Accra.

She explained that the programme was designed after deep consultations with all segments of the society and that the programme was unique to Ghana.

The Chief Executive of Vodafone Ghana, Mr Kyle Whitehill, said the programme was part of the corporate social responsibility of the global fixed and mobile phone giant, which wanted to give back to the society in which it operated.

He was particularly happy that the company had succeeded in introducing a well thought out programme which would help people unravel myths surrounding some common diseases and health practices, such as tiger nuts enhancing sexual performance.

'No more tiger nuts...; they don't work. Go to the hospital, see a doctor, this is the way to go,' Mr Whitehill stated.

The Minister of Health, Mr Joseph Yileh Kyireh, who was at the launch commended Vodafone for making a giant contribution in the health care delivery in the country.

'The government is working hard to provide infrastructure, equipment and an enabling environment for health professionals to deliver. But the task is huge we do it in partnership with others', Mr Kyireh stated.

The health minister called on other private sector organisations to partner the government in the delivery of quality preventive and curative healthcare to Ghanaians.

The television episodes air on Sundays on eTV Ghana and Metro TV in the evening to be repeated on Wednesdays on Ghana Television (GTV) and on Thursdays on TV3, all in the evening.