Globacom Partners KHF To Raise N.6b - For 1,000 Heart Patients

Akin Adewakun, Lagos - 05.07.2008

Globacom, on Thursday, in Lagos, announced its decision to support the Kanu Heart Foundation in raising the sum of N600million meant to support the medical treatments and surgeries of over 1,000 patients with heart related diseases currently on the Foudation’s waiting list.

The Chief Operating Officer of the telecom company, Mr Mohammed Jameel, while speaking at the company’s corporate office to formally announce the patnership, explained that the company had decided to throw its weight behind the Foundation’s initiatives because it was in line with its corporate Social responsibility, which is designed for the overall interests of Nigerians.

He stated that the patnership was intended to generate N600 million through the deployment of SMS for the treatment of selected patients with heart challenges.

“We all know the deep intervention of our partner and United Nations Ambassador, Nwankwo Kanu, in bringing succour to our brothers and sisters on the continent who have heart-related medical exigencies. It is on record that if not for the involvement of this football idol, a lot of people would have passed on”, he stated.

Explaining the modalities of the new initiative, the company’s Head of Value Added Services, Globacom, Mr Benjamin Akinteye, said that the company acceded to the Foundation’s request for support because it was always ready to partner with any individual or organisation who has the interest of Nigerians at heart.

He said the company had developed a strong platform which would enable about 800 SMS to go into the network in a second, adding that all a subscriber needs to do to support the initiative is to send a text message to 33640.

“With 10 million messages, the N600 million we are looking for would be realised. we know it is achievable.”