Press Release: Airtel Zambia donates phones to UTH

Airtel Networks Zambia Plc has donated 55 phones worth K14, 000 to Zambia’s largest referral hospital the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).

Speaking at the donation held at the hospital, Airtel Networks Plc Legal and Regulatory Director, Mrs. Susan Mulikita, who was flanked by the ZICTA Acting Director General, Mr. Patrick Mutimushi said the Company and UTH had developed a great relationship over the years through its ‘Changing Lives’ flagship Corporate Social Responsibility program. Mrs. Mulikita who was speaking on behalf of the Airtel MD, Mr. Peter Correia said:

“We have in the past adopted the Mother’s shelter and more recently donated food stuffs to the Paediatrics Cancer and Malnutrition wards in partnership with Multi-Choice as we continue to care and support the patients here in various ways. We realised that as a telecommunications company we can do more in enhancing communication within the hospital knowing very well that this is a giant and complex institution which is the referral centre for all complicated medical conditions with bed space of over 1800.”

Mrs. Mulikita said the purpose of the phones that already had working sim cards in them was to make communication easier within the wards especially during emergencies.

And receiving the phones on behalf of UTH, Managing Director, Dr. Ben Chirwa said the board and management team were most grateful for the donation that had come at a time when the institution was having difficulty in communication amongst the wards and essential departments.  Dr. Chirwa said:

“This gesture has come at a time when government has embarked on a program to expand and modernize UTH and therefore communication is a critical link in the process of turning the hospital into a modern institution. The fixed land phones that Airtel has brought for us today will help us in preparing for the patients before they arrive. Being a referral centre, we receive hundreds of patients from across the country and therefore communication from the clinics to us is vital for us to be able to adequately organise ourselves before the patient arrives.”

Speaking on behalf of the telecommunications regulator ZICTA, Mr. Mutimushi said him and his team were happy to be witnesses to a great Corporate Social Responsibility program which was aimed at serving the community at large.

Source: Airtel Zambia Corporate Communications & Government Relations Department