USAID extends health info services to pregnant and new mothers via mobile phones
The US Agency for International Development (USAID), US government's principal development agency, has been spreading important health messages to expectant and new mothers across Bangladesh via mobile phones.
In this effort, the USAID-funded Aponjon initiative has partnered with the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) and a number of local and international organisations that includes BRAC, Maternal & Child Health Integrated Program (MCHIP), Smiling Sun Franchise Program, Social Marketing Company (SMC), Fair Price International (pvt).
Aponjon is a public-private partnership that has brought together Johnson and Johnson (American multinational medical equipment and pharmaceuticals manufacturer), the UN Foundation, which links UN activities with other NGOs/corporate bodies, and Baby Centre LLC, a pregnancy and parenting website, to disseminate health information to expectant and new mothers through mobile phones.
Through dissemination of health messages via mobile phones, Aponjon will contribute in reducing maternal and newborn deaths by encouraging mothers and their families to be informed of necessary health conditions and services when necessary.
The $1.5 million Aponjon initiative is implemented and coordinated by D.Net in Bangladesh and will be available through all mobile operators' networks.
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