VANCOUVER – Telus announced Monday it is giving over 10,000 free mobile devices and $0 rate plans to hundreds of organizations across the country to help Canadians in vulnerable communities or isolated in hospitals stay connected through the Covid-19 crisis.
The devices are letting hospitalized Covid-19 patients virtually connect with loved ones, for example, as well as providing a needed lifeline for isolated seniors, low-income families, homeless, and at-risk individuals so they can see and speak to to families, health practitioners and social support services.
Telus has already donated more than 6,000 mobile devices paired with $0 rate plans including unlimited nationwide talk and text and 3GB of data per month. The company estimates its cost to do this at over $5 million,
“The Telus team is deeply committed to keeping our country’s most vulnerable citizens safe and connected during this health emergency,” said Darren Entwistle, president and CEO, in the press release. “Working in concert with our partners, we have expanded our Mobility for Good program to ensure those most impacted by Covid-19, including isolated hospital patients and long-term care residents, have access to the devices and service needed to stay in touch with healthcare professionals and importantly, with their loved ones during what is often a lonely and overwhelming time in their lives.”
“In Toronto, we currently have approximately 300 isolated, hospitalized Covid patients, and those without personal phones are unable to connect with family. We are beginning to roll out the Telus devices to hospital wards, and once operational, families can call the patient, and the staff can call them as well, avoiding exposure by not entering the room for minor check-ins. Also, once a patient is intubated, they cannot answer the phone, but will be able to see and hear loved ones on the device. This will provide solace for the family especially, and staff who are watching people die alone, unable to comfort them,” said Dr. Allan Detsky CM, former physician-in-chief at Toronto’s Mt. Sinai Hospital, in the Telus release.
“The smartphones donated by Telus are helping keep peer support workers connected to community organizations, so they can be a crucial lifeline to those in need. Telus’ support of this community-led initiative is making a difference for the most vulnerable people in our city,” added Jennifer Johnstone, president and CEO of Central City Foundation, Vancouver, in the release.
To see all of what Telus is doing to help during the Covid-19 crisis, please click here.
Photo borrowed from the Telus Instagram account.
