U
n
icef
A
t the Nameembo Rural Health Clinic in Zambia,
Gloria Moonga quietly holds her six-week-old son
Issac. Nurse Eklina Chibenga is collecting a blood
sample to determine the baby’s HIV status.
Early in her pregnancy, 21-year-old Gloria took
a test herself and discovered she was HIV positive. Though it was
a shock, early diagnosis meant she quickly received prevention of
mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) medication.
PMTCT treatment means there is a 98 per cent chance the
child of an HIV-positive woman will be born without HIV. The
sooner treatment begins, the better the odds for the child.
Gloria’s speedy treatment has been helped by an innovative
HIV prevention project called Programme Mwana. The UNICEF-
supported programme uses mobile phones to improve early
infant HIV diagnostic services, patient tracing, and post-natal
follow-up and care. It has been particularly successful in
reducing delays in transmitting results from HIV test laboratories
to rural health clinics, notably in hard-to-reach areas.
The programme uses RapidSMS, a free and open-source
framework, to build mobile applications for dynamic data
collection, logistics and, of course, communication. It currently
runs in 62 health facilities in rural districts of Zambia, but should
be available throughout by 2014.
At Nameembo, it has meant the turn-around time to receive
results has been reduced from two months, when couriers were
used, to two weeks. “The SMS delivery of the test results has
really helped us,” says Eklina, who has worked at the clinic for 10
years. “Before it was difficult to get results, the time was too long
and the nearest main health facility where we went to collect
results is 28km from here; many of our clients have to walk.”
The five-room clinic provides various services to an estimated
Texting to
tackle AIDS
PHOTO UNICEF/CHRISTINE NESBIT T
RapidSMS and mobile apps are
changing the fight against HIV and
AIDS in Zambia
15,000
local people. Another young mother, Lonar Hamuzala, has
just delivered a baby girl; beside her, RemindMi agent Mildred
Kawala is registering the birth. RemindMi is a mobile application
that stores, shares and provides notifications of important
reminders and dates, which are used to improve post-natal
follow-ups.
It was a RemindMi agent who traced Gloria to her house to
remind her about her post-natal appointment. And she will get
her son’s test results in 14 days – delivered via SMS. “I feel good
because I know that my child will be protected,” says Gloria.
Send an SMS to fight HIV/AIDS
You can join UNICEF in the fight for an AIDS-free generation:
from inside Norway, send an SMS to 2160 with the code “20” – to
give NOK20 (€2.7). With NOK20 you donate two HIV-tests – the first
step towards a life without HIV for two children.
You can also give your support through
Norwegian and UNICEF have been working together for children since 2007. As a
Signature Partner to UNICEF, Norwegian supports the organisation’s work giving
children the best possible start in life, and a safe and happy childhood. Norwegian
is particularly engaged in UNICEF’s work against HIV/AIDS, providing financial
support to a PMTCT project in Ukraine.
RemindMi agent Mildred
Kawala records the birth
of Lonar Hamuzala’s
baby boy in Zambia
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