Airtel Malawi saves maternity health, cancer,
Leading mobile telecommunications operator Airtel Malawi has given MK5 million to the country major referral public hospital, Queen Elizabeth Central (QECH) in a bid to promote safe motherhood and the fight against cancer.
In her remarks during a cheque presentation to Chatinkha Maternity Wing at QECH in Blantyre on Friday, Airtel’s Head of Enterprise Rachel Mijiga said this gesture was part of a commitment to compliment government’s efforts in meeting health and safe motherhood targets under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
“As a responsible corporate citizen, airtel has an obligation to partner government in areas that have a direct impact on the people of Malawi and our humble donation today to Chatinkha Maternity Wing therefore, is in recognition of the tremendous job that the government is doing in promoting safe motherhood in the country,” said Mijiga adding that, airtel would offer support to uphold Malawi as a meternal mortality shining example in Africa.
According to Mijiga, the donation illustrates Airtel’s corporate social responsibility (CSR).
“At Airtel, we rate CSR highly. We believe CSR is a sound business proposition as contributing to social and economic well-being will ultimately benefit all businesses,” she said.
Chairperson of Chatinkha Maternity Care (CHAMACA) Dr Frank Taulo said Airtel’s response to their request was timely and that it would go a long way in uplifting reproductive health.
“We are so grateful to Airtel for championing a request we made to them. This is a truly passionate gesture and we appreciate the role of Airtel Malawi is playing in the promotion of safe motherhood,” said Dr Taulo adding that other corporate players should follow suit.
Recent statistics indicate that about 30 babies are born at the Chatinkha Maternity Care on a daily basis.
The MK5 million would reportedly be used to support for the purchase of various medical equipment to the Chatinkha maternity and Cancer ward according to Airtel.
Airtel Malawi’s support to reproductive health dates years ago when it donated an ambulance in Ntcheu.
Last year, Airtel offered 20 scholarships to Malawian nurses for their training in various health institutions in the country through the presidential initiative of safe motherhood.
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