South African HIV message goes mobile

SOUTH AFRICA has more HIV positive citizens than any other country in the world – in some areas almost half are infected.

What’s worse is the fact that only two per cent have ever been tested and of those who have, only 10 per cent are receiving treatment leaving 90 per cent critically ill.

Zinhle “Zinny” Thabethe, a HIV activist says, " You would think that in a country where it is so obvious that we are challenged by HIV that there would be enough knowledge to help people access care or change behaviour."

However, she says that due to the stigma and misinformation surrounding the disease, little is happening to help.

Shockingly, Zinny explains that, "Most people only get a test when they are about to die."

This is where the mobile phones come in. Project Masiluleke is using the mobile phone as a high-impact, low-cost tool in the fight against HIV/AIDS and TB.

Almost 90 per cent of South Africans either own or have access to a mobile device, meaning that the project can touch nearly everyone who needs help.

Text messages will be sent out reading: “Please Call Me” followed by a contact number and a text message such as, "Worried that you might have HIV and want to talk to a counsellor about getting tested? Call Aids helpline 0800012322."

Project Masiluleke is a signature programmme of the Pop! Tech Accelerator. The Accelerator programme was put together to draw in global companies, foundations, non-governmental organisations and more to achieve what couldn’t be done independently.

Each Accelerator programme focuses on utilising new technology to bring about change. µ

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