Roshan Partners with Save The Children to Commemorate the Day of the Community Health Worker
January 19, 2012
(Kabul, Afghanistan) – Roshan, Afghanistan’s leading telecommunications provider demonstrated its continued support for the development of healthcare in Afghanistan by celebrating the Day of the Community Health Worker, which was held on December 18 nationwide, in partnership with Save the Children Afghanistan. Through a radio and SMS campaign, Roshan worked to raise awareness to support community health programs underway throughout the country.
In the field of healthcare, Roshan has invested substantial sums in providing e-learning, telemedicine and other SMS learning reinforcement programs to help develop and sustain a robust community health worker network in collaboration with a number of NGOs and civil society organizations in Afghanistan. The Day of the Community Health Worker is part of Save the Children’s EVERYONE campaign, which works in more than 50 countries around the world to ensure every child has a chance at survival.
“As part of Roshan’s lifelong commitment to healthcare provision in Afghanistan, we are pleased to partner with Save the Children and work together to improve the country’s healthcare infrastructure. The future of Afghanistan depends on the welfare of the nation’s people. The impact that community health workers are having across Afghanistan every day is extremely powerful and it is their good work that is helping build a healthier future for Afghan children,” said Karim Khoja, chief executive officer.
Between December 18 and 25, a radio campaign was aired on 18 radio stations across the country, highlighting the efforts of community health workers and sharing their stories. In addition, SMS messages were broadcast to 1.2 million Roshan subscribers with health advice relating to children.
Everyday more than 500 children die in Afghanistan due to preventable causes – one in five children do not survive to their fifth birthday. In Afghanistan, community health workers work in pairs to serve over 100 families each, treating preventable illnesses like pneumonia and diarrhea, and educating families to detect symptoms early. In 2004, Afghanistan had 2,500 community health workers, and today, this number has grown to 20,000; half of whom are women.
Roshan’s social responsibility arm, Roshan Community, has an ongoing roster of projects in the area of healthcare, including Roshan’s innovative Telemedicine project, linking hospitals across Afghanistan to save more than 1,200 lives, building more than 70 water wells that serve more than 100,000 people, and constructing a clinic in Kabul to build a stronger and healthier community.
About Roshan
Roshan (Telecom Development Company Afghanistan Ltd) is Afghanistan’s leading telecommunications provider, with coverage in over 230 cities and towns and over 5.5 million active subscribers. Roshan directly employs more than 1,200 people and provides indirect employment to more than 30,000 people. Since its inception eight years ago, Roshan has invested approximately $500 million in Afghanistan and is the country’s single largest investor and taxpayer. Roshan is deeply committed to Afghanistan’s reconstruction and socio-economic development. The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), is a major shareholder of Roshan and promotes private initiatives and building economically sound enterprises in the developing world. Also owned in part by Monaco Telecom International (MTI) and TeliaSonera, Roshan brings international expertise to Afghanistan and is committed to the highest standards of network quality and coverage for the people of Afghanistan.
About Roshan Community
Roshan Community is the dedicated corporate social responsibility arm of Roshan, Afghanistan’s leading telecommunications provider. Roshan Community aims to be a driver in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, investing in programs for children, women and communities to build human potential and capacity. Since beginning operations, Roshan Community has supported a wide range of programs including building schools, playgrounds and wells, helping women set-up their own businesses, sponsoring soup kitchens and supporting a Telemedicine project. Roshan’s commitment to the reconstruction of Afghanistan is an integral part of the company’s business mission. In line with the philosophy of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), Roshan seeks to demonstrate the role business can play in transforming society. By leveraging its expertise and partnering with like-minded businesses and organizations, Roshan Community works to strengthen and enhance the work of government and civil society to maximize impact and make a difference. To learn more about Roshan Community, please visit: http://www.roshan.af/community.
Media Contact
Farah Kurji
Manager, Public Relations
Roshan
Mobile: +93 (0) 799 99 6813
E-mail: farah.kurji@roshan.af
Web: www.roshan.af