Over 5,000 Ghanaians Benefit From Vodafone's Healthfest

Since the establishment of the Vodafone Ghana Foundation in 2009, it has introduced various transformational initiatives that have improved the lives of Ghanaians across the country.

Being fervent about Health and issues relating to humanitarian challenges, the foundation continues to keep faith in searching and developing mobile communications technologies to improve human life.
In an interaction with Nana Yaa Ofori-Koree, who is the Foundation and Sustainability Manager, she outlined several successes and challenges the foundation has chalked up so far.

About the Vodafone Foundation, she stated that: The Vodafone Ghana Foundation was established in 2009 to drive Vodafone Ghana’s corporate social responsibility initiatives. Since launch, the Foundation has supported and introduced impactful projects that have improved the living standards of Ghanaians in the various communities.

-The Foundation is very passionate about Health and has introduced transformational and sustainable healthcare initiatives that have benefitted various communities and continue to improve access to quality healthcare and health information.

-At the heart of our Foundation is the belief that our mobile communications technologies can address some of the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges and our responsibility is to utilise our innovative mobile technology in mobilising social change and improving people’s lives.

-The Foundation makes social investments by funding projects which use mobile technology for the benefits of all, via projects such as Mobile for Good initiative

2014 Milestones
OUR PASSION FOR HEALTH

Healthfest

This year, we introduced Healthfest an initiative aimed at providing free quality healthcare to communities within the country to improve access to quality healthcare. People in various communities are screened for various medical conditions including Diabetes, Hypertension, Hepatitis B, HIV and Dental care. We also offer free medical consultation and counselling, as well as free medication for specific diseases.

The event also has dedicated areas for a Gym and Nutrition to promote wellbeing and healthy lifestyle
-Over 5,000 Ghanaians have benefited from Healthfest - Gt Accra, Volta, Ashanti, Northern, Brong-Ahafo, Upper East, Upper West, Eastern, Western, regions,

-The team will visit the other regions before the end of the year
-Healthline Voice Message
In partnership with the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), the Vodafone Ghana Foundation introduced the Healthline Voice Message service; a free voice service which offers weekly messages on Health including Ebola to Ghanaians.

This is delivered in English and four other key local languages. The Healthline Voice Message was launched last month and has been key in giving Ghanaians access to health information for free.

Live Chat with ‘Healthline’ Doctors

A monthly live chat session with medical experts. These sessions are held on Facebook, Twitter monthly and we continue to educate Ghanaians about Health

USING TECHNOLOGY TO DRIVE SOCIAL CHANGE (MOBILE FOR GOOD)

Healthline 255
We launched Ghana’s first medical call centre known as Healthline 255 to give expert advice, dispel the many myths surround health, educate against self-medication and encourage early diagnosis and treatment. The medical call centre, is run by doctors and nurses and powered by the world’s best triage system that guarantees accurate medical advice to Vodafone customers in Ghana.

Healthline App

HealthLine App, a free software application that provides real-time health information through smartphones and tablets. The interactive app has been developed for all mobile networks, is available on Android and provides tips and facts on health conditions including Ebola, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Retinal Migraines and Acne, among others.

Mobile 4 Good

In line with our commitment to using our mobile communications technologies to address some of the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges , the Foundation after called NGOs to submit proposals for projects that utilise innovative mobile technology in mobilising social change and improving people’s lives.

-Consequently, we have identified seven key projects that we unveil to Ghana next week at a special event

EBOLA AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

Ebola Documentary

Our first approach to the campaign was to push a video that will go viral and can easily be shared via mobile phones and social media. As a result, a 2 minute clip on Ebola was produced and uploaded onto YouTube and shared via social media networks including Facebook, WhatsApp and twitter. This video can be accessed on YouTube via the linkhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVK4ZrPCqxU

There are discussions currently with a media group - Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) - to air the clip on local television.


Media Interviews with Doctors

In ensuring that our messages reached every corner of this country, we used two of the most effective media channels, television and radio, to reach our audience. We achieved this by putting together a comprehensive media schedule of interviews for a team of doctors to educate Ghanaians about Ebola, answer questions and respond to the myths surrounding the Ebola virus in the various local languages. This was organised by the Vodafone Ghana Foundation
Additionally, we continue to use our various health initiatives to offer Ghanaians access to free healthcare and health information including Ebola

Healthline 255

Healthline 255, on average receives about 350 calls daily and this number increased to about 900 when the Ebola outbreak was announced in August. Calls to the medical call centre peaked to 9000 on 14th and 15 August.

Additionally, Healthline 255 refers callers with urgent cases to the nearest health facilities.

Access to the Healthline Call Centre has also been increased by introducing a unique number 050 50 50 500 for non-Vodafone customers.

Healthline Voice Message
Weekly health information on Ebola

HealthFest

Offers free and quality healthcare and health information to various communities across the country.

Healthline App
Over 10, 000 downloads since launch


INTERNAL
Vodafone Employee Volunteerism

We also introduced an Employee Volunteerism programme to empower our employees with the resources to support their communities by doing something they feel passionate about. We are proud that we have positively contributed to addressing social issues in our communities that require intervention

DONATIONS
Funding – Cash Donations
The Foundation continues to make social investments by funding projects that improve the living standards of Ghanaians and develop communities.

Christmas CSR Initiative
BRING A CHEER TO YOUR COMMUNITY
- To fund development projects that contribute to the quality of life in rural communities across the country
- We are seeking for community development projects focused on health, education, children and entrepreneurial development - 10 regions
- Calling for entries from NGOs between now and 20th December
o Projects should benefit and improve the quality of life in rural communities
o Maximum of GHC 50k per project
o Each region can have more than one project
o Fund will be awarded directly to selected NGO to manage the project
o Projects will be celebrated handover ceremony
o The project should be easy to implement and executed by 8th January 2015
o Projects should focus on Health, Education, Children and Entrepreneurial
o Across all 10 regions
o [email protected]

Ending

-Our dedication to advancing initiatives that improve the lives of people within the various communities is our priority and we will continue to identify opportunities to deliver this throughout the country.

-Vodafone Ghana Foundation will continue to introduce revolutionary initiatives that impact the nation and transform the lives of every Ghanaian

Source: Chris Joe Quaicoe/ Email: [email protected]