Internet takes vaccination roll-out to Mpumalanga’s rural areas
This close proximity eliminates costly trips to and from the urban-based vaccination centres.
Satellite broadband internet has extended the Covid-19 vaccination programme to rural communities in Mpumalanga.
A partnership between Eutelsat Communications and Aspen Pharmacare is accelerating the Mpumalanga Department of Health’s (DoH) Covid-19 vaccination drive.
Michel Azibert, deputy CEO of Eutelsat, met with Dudu Mdluli, the DoH’s acting head, to formally commence with a satellite broadband network for the programme.
Azibert’s delegation also visited Rob Ferreira Hospital. Last week, Eutelsat initiated high-speed broadband internet access at thirteen vaccination centres located in less fortunate communities. This close proximity eliminates costly trips to and from the urban-based vaccination centres.
Approximately 70% of Mpumalanga’s 4,4 million people live in underprivileged and underserved communities. Only 1,7% of rural households in the province have access to the internet.
“This initiative presents another arrow in the quiver of government to fight the pandemic and to assist in saving lives. It is highly consistent with Aspen’s ongoing commitment to supporting local efforts that mitigate the impact of the pandemic and assist in ensuring safe and sustainable communities,” said Stavros Nicolaou, Aspen’s senior executive of strategic trade.
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Eutelsat Communications is one of the world’s largest satellite communications operators in Africa, and Aspen Pharmacare is South Africa’s largest pharmaceutical company.
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