Telenor Health AS and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Dhaka Apparel Summit to improve access to healthcare by RMG workers.
BGMEA Vice President (Finance) Mohammed Nasir inked the MoU on behalf of the Association while Chief Medical Officer of Telenor Health Dr Fred Hersch his organisation, reports UNB.
The two parties signed the deal on Saturday to work together with digital and mobile technology to improve the health and ensure the wellbeing of the Ready Made Garment (RMG) workers in Bangladesh, the BGMEA said on Sunday.
The RMG industry is Bangladesh’s greatest contributor to GDP growth and has played a significant role in the country’s improved performance against world development indicators.
BGMEA employs up to 4 million people, 80 percent of whom are women, according to a recent report by BSR.
Access to the formal economy through the RMG industry has been economically empowering for many women through stability of employment, some measures of social security, and social acceptability.
Telenor Health is a purpose-driven, digital health subsidiary set up by Telenor Group in 2015.
Through the collaboration, existing Telenor Health services, which have already gained widespread popularity in Bangladesh, will be offered to RMG workers in a number of cities in Bangladesh, UNB reports.
Besides, the two bodies together will work to identify and develop sustainable financing models for health and wellness services for RMG workers.
They will also identify opportunities for innovative and affordable solutions and services to help RMG workers take better care of their health.