Orascom Telecom Renovates and Launches Al Akrameya Health Care Unit In Aswan Governorate

Orascom Telecom Renovates and Launches Al Akrameya Health Care Unit In Aswan Governorate

Released on - Wednesday,30 June , 2010 -17:28 00

Orascom Telecom (OT) proudly announces the completion of the renovation project of Al Akrameya Health Care Unit in Edfu district, Aswan Governorate which was inaugurated last September in collaboration with the Takamol project. H.E. General Moustafa El Sayed, Governor of Aswan, along with representatives from OT, the Ministry of Health, the Head of Takamol project, and representatives from the media attended the official unveiling of the refurbished health unit and witnessed the launch of the modern health facility on June 30th.

The renovated health care unit has been operational since April 2010. It aims at providing high quality medical services using advanced equipment delivered by well trained staff to serve a population of 4118 citizens spread over six villages comprising the community of El Akrameya.

The complete renovation process involved an investment of 637,000 L.E. and included the physical restoration of the unit including the installation of new electrical wiring, plumbing, tiling, and painting along with the construction of an additional building to accommodate a larger number of specialized medical care rooms needed for the clinic. Furthermore, the newly renovated building has been fully furnished and equipped with brand new medical appliances, supplies and furniture.

The complete re-development process did not only target the physical components of the health care unit, but the clinic’s staff and service providers have also undergone a series of trainings which focused on Integrated Maternal and Child Health/Family Planning/Reproductive Health (MCH/FP/RH) Clinical Training, Clinic Management, Inter Personal Communication, and Safety and Maintenance. The staff will continue to receive On the Job Training to sustain their upgraded skills.

Moreover, and to inflict positive behavioral changes in the community, the unit will also serve as a cultural and community development center where citizens will receive training to enhance their general health education and to incorporate the project’s main objectives specifically; improving health outcomes for mothers and newborns, and achieving sustainable family planning in Egypt into their daily life style. Training activities offered to citizens include literacy classes; new life skills program designed for women to become leaders and role models, maternal, child health and hygiene sessions; training on MCH/FP/RH health topics and issues for local religious figures; Family program for young couples; and tree planting, school beautification, health education classes and sports events for the youth.

Manal Abdel-Hamid, PR & Corporate Communications Director of Orascom Telecom said: “Addressing our shared responsibility to improve public health specifically maternal and child health requires partnerships between multiple stakeholders. We are delighted that we have been able to expedite the reopening of the Health Unit through a partnership with the Ministry of Health, USAID and the Governorate of Aswan, and we are hopeful that the 4118 citizens living in the surrounding area will benefit from the services offered here and by the excellent staff of medical and administrative professionals.”

The project which is the first of its kind in Egypt is intended to activate partnerships between the private and public sectors to work on raising and upgrading the level of health services in the country. Takamol project is a USAID-funded project that provides technical and financial support for various services including family planning, maternity and infant care and reproductive health. The project aims at improving the primary health indicators in Egypt such as maternal mortality rate, infant mortality rate and fertility rate.

OT is contributing to this initiative to implement an integrated model in Al Akrameya Unit at Edfu district through its social investment program which is the community development component of OT’s Corporate Social Responsibility program. Improving public health is one of the areas of focus for OT’s social investment program. Orascom Telecom CSR program covers a wide range of activities including addressing operational environmental impacts, social investment, employee volunteering, and providing training and career development opportunities to its employees. Orascom Telecom is a participant in the United Nations Global Compact Initiative, and a signatory to the Women's Empowerment Principles –Equality Means Business.