Jane Nafula
11 February 2008
Kampala — AN innovative programme that uses cell phone text messages as an interactive tool in improving HIV/Aids sensitisation and education has been introduced in Uganda.
The programme is a joint effort of Text to Change (TTC), the Aids Information Centre (AIC) and Celtel Uganda. Text to Change is a non profit organisation which is devoted to improving HIV/Aids education in sub-Saharan Africa.
A joint press statement issued by TTC and AIC on Saturday said the pilot programme would officially be launched by the three partners in Mbarara on Valentines Day (February, 14).
According to the statement, the TTC came up with the idea after it realised that by utilising cell phones, HIV/Aids knowledge could reach more people especially the youth who are ignorant of the disease.
"The first thing that came to my mind when I learnt about telephones was: if so many people are accessing mobile telephones in Sub Saharan Africa, why not use them for health education?" Text to Change's founder and Marketing Manager Bas Hoefman said.
"We believe that mobile telephony can make a sustainable contribution to the fight against HIV/Aids." Sub- Saharan Africa remains the worst affected region of the world and is home to almost 64 per cent of people living with the HIV/Aids.
In Uganda, about 1.1 million are living with HIV/Aids . The SMS programme also aims to increase the uptake of Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) services.
According to the statement, the current prevention campaigns are facing challenges in reaching those who are at greatest risk. The release states that despite Uganda's success story in fighting the Aids epidemic, prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young people remains high.
UNAids estimates that 40 per cent of new STI infections in 2006 occurred in young people. The SMS programme was designed by a young and enthusiastic group of people from Amsterdam.
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