MTN Foundation donates sh109m free medical service

29 Apr 2016

MTN, through its social responsibility vehicle called 'MTN Foundation' has donated sh109 million to boost a Rotary health project designed to avail free medical treatment to needy communities. The project dubbed the 'Rotary Family Health Days' (RFHDs), was launched yesterday in partnership with Rotary Uganda, Centenary Bank and the Ministry of Health.

MTN CEO, Brian Gouldie (far left) hands over a dummy cheque worth UGX 109,150,000 to the Rotary Uganda Team lead by Stephen Mwanje ( 2nd left) to avail free treatment for all in the ‘Rotary Health Days’ project

RFHDs are meant to avail free treatment to communities and start on the 29 April to 7 May 2016 through different camps. This year’s theme is “Good Health, Happy Families”.

“Through the MTN Foundation, MTN Uganda is constantly committed to improving the lives of its customers and communities. The Rotary Family Health Days are a great opportunity for MTN Uganda to give back to our communities. We believe our contribution to this noble cause will go a long way in changing the lives of many communities where Rotary Uganda will be setting up the different camps,” MTN CEO, Brian Gouldie explained.

…The health program is employed in six countries, including Uganda, South Africa, Lesotho Swaziland, Nigeria, Ghana and Tanzania…

The medical camps will offer both specialised and general services in areas of cancer screening (cervical and breast); child immunisation and nutrition; family planning and maternal health; HIV/AIDS counselling and testing; dental services; optical and many other common community health concerns.

The Rotary Family Health Days are not only meant to provide free medication to communities but also help solve the common health issues suffered by communities like Malaria, HIV/AIDS, family planning and so on.

According to Steven Mwanje the board chair of the Rotary Family Health Days project, the program is employed in six countries which include Uganda, South Africa, Lesotho Swaziland, Nigeria, Ghana and Tanzania.
“This program has reached over 470,000 people in Uganda and 1 million worldwide and is implemented in areas with inadequate medical facilities like limited drugs and majorly the hindrance to proper medical care,” he said.

Over 82 camps will be set up all over Uganda and these will be deployed with 23 medical personnel from 10 health centres. There will be a team of 5 experts from USA, Canada, India and Uganda that will be deployed at Laaro Health Centre IV to specifically attend to maternal and child health issues.