简体中文
Grameenphone, the Norwegian Telenor Group's concern in Bangladesh, has teamed up with the Bangladeshi government and launched "Tonic," a new digital health service, in collaboration with Telenor Health.
Officials say Tonic is the result of an extensive research and development process that included input from global health experts, local medical practitioners, and everyday people, Tonic aims to be relevant to a broad cross section of Bangladeshi society and cover a range of wellness and health needs.
"Tonic is an example of Telenor's commitment to Bangladesh and Asian markets," says Vivek Sood, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Telenor Group at the launching ceremony of the health service at a ceremony recently in Dhaka in the presence of the Health Minister Mohammad Nasim.
In line with this quality commitment and Telenor Group's broader vision of "empowering societies," Telenor Health has also announced a strategic partnership with the Directorate General of Health Services, Government of Bangladesh (DGHS) at the Tonic launch event.
Announced by Bangladeshi Health Secretary Syed Monjurul Islam, the "DGHS-Telenor Health" collaboration aims to accelerate the use of digital technology to improve health access and quality for all Bangladeshis.
As part of the partnership, Telenor Health will contribute to existing DGHS initiatives like its "Sathayabtayan" health helpline as well as work with DGHS to launch new projects addressing issues such as universal health coverage, healthcare IT interoperability, and non-communicable diseases.
"Bangladesh has made incredible progress in achieving Millennium Development Goals like reducing child mortality and improving maternal health," noted Sajid Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of Telenor Health.
"We're honored and humbled that the Government feels that we can contribute to continuing this progress as Bangladesh tackles the new Sustainable Development Goal of 'healthy lives and well being for all at all ages.' We look forward to playing our own small role as an integrated part of the Bangladesh healthcare system."
The Tonic celebration represented not only the introduction of an innovative digital health product in Bangladesh, but also the first product launch by Telenor Health, a new venture of Norwegian Telenor using mobile technology to make high quality health information, advice, and services accessible to all consumers across emerging Asia, said the company in a statement.
Incorporated in Norway as a health-focused subsidiary of Telenor Group, Telenor Health aspires to the highest standards of clinical quality for Tonic and its overall operations.
The company says it has created an in-house clinical team, led by a chief medical officer with extensive experience from Australia, the United Kingdom, and other emerging markets. Telenor Health sources all of its health content from leading global institutions like Bupa and the Mayo Clinic. Additionally, the company receives counsel from a Medical Advisory Panel of eminent, it said.
With its some 56 million customers, it said GP, 55.8 percent owned by Norwegian telecom company Telenor and 34.2 percent owned by local Grameen Telecom, is the largest telecom operator in Bangladesh and has a strong legacy of providing mobile services to all parts of the country.
(APD)
