Vodacom and Network Healthcare Holdings (Netcare) have extended their business partnership to launch a 24-hour emergency medical service to its customers, staff and the public.
The new Vodacom and Netcare partnership will include co-branding and joint marketing activities with Netcare 911, and a set of additional emergency services offered to Vodacom contract subscribers and staff.
The services include emergency services, public and special benefits cover, health advisory benefits, medical event standby for key Vodacom sporting events, and training of Vodacom staff and its premium customers.
Vodacom Group CEO Alan Knott-Craig hailed the partnership as both socially responsible and adding value to customers and staff of Vodacom and Netcare.
"This is a mutually beneficial partnership which affords the customers and staff of the two companies critical and useful healthcare and communications services as well as peace of mind while enhancing their lives," says Knott-Craig.
The partnership between Vodacom and Netcare 911 began in 1998 with four vehicles and 12 paramedics.
"Vodacom has been very instrumental in our journey to become SA`s largest privately owned emergency service with more than 1 000 medical staff and 500 vehicles serving more than 10 000 patients per month," says Jackie Shevel, CEO of Netcare.
The partnership has evolved to include provision of technological solutions for the healthcare environment, such as wireless local area networks in hospitals for patients and visitors, and wireless capturing of customer service indices from Netcare users.
Vodacom will provide business solutions for the Netcare Group covering wireless linkages, data and mobile services, least-cost routing, contracts and customised packages including value-added services.
Vodacom will also add the national network of Netcare facilities to its distribution channels and make available its cellular services to an estimated 10 million patients and their families.
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