ZonG and UNICEF use mobile phone messages service to help eradicate polio in the high risk areas of Pakistan
Islamabad, April 16, 2014 --- As the number of polio cases in Pakistan reached 49 so far this year more partners come forward to protect the children and rid Pakistan and the world of the menace of the this debilitating disease.
To create an enabling environment for polio eradication in Pakistan, ZonG and UNICEF signed today a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on strengthening the use of mobile phone messages to ensure more children are vaccinated during the polio campaign.
The widespread usage and viability of cell phones across Pakistan provides great opportunity to reach out to communities who are most at risk of the disease. The mobile phone messages will especially target polio reservoirs to enhance knowledge to take informed decisions. The initiative is unique in character within polio eradication efforts and polio partnership in the health sector.
“Through our strategic alliance with UNICEF, we want to make a positive impact in the life of every Pakistani child. As one of the major communication facilitators of Pakistan, ZonG underlines its commitment and responsibility to use its technological innovations to spread awareness about polio and strengthen families’ cooperation with the vaccination teams visiting their homes”, says Dr. Fan Yunjun, CEO, ZonG/ Chief Corporate and Government Sales.
“Our partnership with ZonG will give the much needed impetus to the social mobilization and awareness raising programmes in support of polio vaccination in the virus circulation high risk areas.”, says Dan Rohrmann, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan. “This support and collaboration could not have come at a more critical time.
Pakistan is one of only three countries in the world along with by Afghanistan and Nigeria where the crippling disease remains endemic.
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For Further information:
ZonG: Usman Younas, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., contact no. +92-3135555022
UNICEF: Azmat Abbas, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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About UNICEF:
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.