Assisting a Local NGO with Alternative Income Stream

Grameenphone's CICs provide people across rural areas of Bangladesh with communication services. The CICs are equipped with computers, printers, scanners, web cams and internet connectivity and are designed to be run independently as small businesses by local entrepreneurs.

Free healthcare for the economically disadvantaged

Grameenphone has set up a CIC at a clinic in Rajbari run by the Caring Society for the Rural Distressed (CSRD), a local NGO. Its Free Friday Clinics provide free of charge primary healthcare to the economically disadvantaged in the community. The program, which is run by CSRD volunteers along with the support of two doctors, has been providing free healthcare and medicines to 120-140 poor patients every week since 2005.

Alleviation of the financial burden

As CSRD has no sustainable source of income, Grameenphone hopes to alleviate some of their financial burden by establishing a CIC on their premises. Grameenphone hopes that the income generated from running the CIC will contribute towards supplementing the cost of their Free Friday Clinic in a sustainable manner.

CICs are part of Grameenphone's efforts to improve the welfare of the economically disadvantaged sections of society. Grameenphone believes that for sustainable development to take place, it is important to ensure primary healthcare for the economically disadvantaged, both in terms of service and access.

You can also read more on Grameenphone's website

For more information please contact:

Mai Oldgard, Vice President, Corporate Responsibility, e-mail: mai.oldgard@telenor.com