2022 Sustainable Business Report

74 | SAFARICOM SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS REPORT 2022 KPI SUMMARY OUR MATERIAL TOPICS OUR BUSINESS OUR STAKEHOLDERS HEALTH There are three main delays to healthcare – seeking, reaching and accessing care. To help overcome these challenges, we are aligned with key national Government initiatives including the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Linda Mama (free health insurance for pregnant women). Given that healthcare is devolved, we also work closely with county governments. In terms of government initiatives, our aim is to ensure the ultimate beneficiaries are linked to these schemes to enhance sustainability. • Non-communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension and others are on the rise in Kenya. According to the Ministry of Health, NCD-related deaths have risen from 27% in 2014 to 39% in 2021. The Safaricom Foundation’s Non- Communicable Diseases Programme initiative in Garissa County promotes early detection for diabetes and its complications for children. This is achieved through awareness creation and sensitisation of health workers, improved comprehensive diabetes care for children and young adults, as well as strengthening of the healthcare system through the provision of medicine and equipment. To date, 435 children have benefitted. • Shortly after the reporting period, the Safaricom Foundation donated a water ambulance to King Fahad Referral Hospital in Lamu County to help respond to medical emergencies. The ambulance will link over 150 000 people from sub-county hospitals, dispensaries and other health centres to referral services at the hospital. The ambulance, which uses a toll-free number for emergency services, is also fitted with emergency equipment to treat patients needing critical care and is estimated to be able to conduct 50 referrals a month. • The Usamaria initiative provides medical funding, with each case reviewed by the Usamaria committee. The Usamaria Committee is mandated by the Safaricom Foundation to consider and support medical assistance cases from the less fortunate in the society. The Committee reviews and approves medical support requests; monitoring and reporting on the outcomes of the funding/support. • In sub-Saharan Africa, the average for female genital fistulas is one to two for every 1 000 deliveries, where the woman survives. Approximately 4 000 – 5 000 new obstetric fistulas occur in East Africa annually. Targeting women and girls in five counties, the Female Genital Fistula (FGF) programme : - Operated on 180 women with FGF at five hospitals over one year - Trained four local specialists on FGF-repair through the FGF camps held in these hospitals. - Conducted on-the-job training for local doctors, clinical officers and nurses in pre- and post-operative care and follow up of patients with FGF - Raised awareness about the FGF problem and mobilised women with FGF to come forward for surgery through talk shows and seminars/ workshops - Sensitised health workers, organised groups, government and NGOs on the prevention of FGF - Analysed post-operative outcomes and shared lessons learnt - Documented risk factors and regional prevalence and incidence variation.