CRI, MTN Collaborate To Save Lives
CRI, MTN Collaborate To Save Lives
Nigeria's first advanced medical emergency company, Critical Rescue International (CRI), in collaboration with one of Nigeria's leading telecommunication services provider, MTN, has launched a telephone-based Medical aid service to enable MTN subscribers access vital health advice and urgent medical attention in times of emergency.
Tagged MTN Care, the service was officially launched by the two companies at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, recently.
With the launch of this service, MTN subscribers can dial the short code 933 to access emergency assistance or evacuation service. However, the emergency evacuation services (i.e. ambulance service) is currently only available to MTN subscribers resident in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt and is subject to availability of an ambulance at the time the call is made. Subscribers in need of medical advisory services can dial the short code191 to access expert medical advice, and counsel on health issues, including First Aid advice, hospital directory services and emotional counseling for rape victims, HIV/Aids, bereavement, attempted suicide, domestic abuse and violence, among others. According to Dr. Akinwande Akinjolire, Managing Director of CRI, "we have no doubt that our collaboration with the biggest telecoms provider in Nigeria, MTN, will add value to the lives of MTN subscribers with this service. We are in business to manage medical emergencies and we have invested in world-class medical technology currently in use in the world's most advanced countries. We are happy to use the MTN Network platform to bring first rate medical emergency and advisory services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to its teeming subscribers".
He stated that CRI understands the Nigerian terrain and has carried out rescue operations during some emergency situations like the bomb blasts at the Ikeja military Cantonment in 2001 and the Bellview plane crash in 2005.
"We are very happy to facilitate this critical service provided by CRI," said Mr. Bola Akingbade, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN. "MTN Care is borne of our desire to support the efforts of progressive organisations and institutions such as CRI and the Lagos State Government and to guarantee a positive rhythm of life for ordinary men and women of this great nation. All the medical services and assistance under "MTN Care" are provided solely by CRI, while MTN in furtherance of its objective to continually delight its subscribers has granted its esteemed subscribers access to the medical services and assistance via the short code dials on the MTN Network".