David Muwanga
1 July 2009
Kampala — MTN Uganda, Google and the Grameen Foundation have launched a mobile phone application that provides instant information to mobile phone users in remote communities.
The application enables a mobile phone user to send a text message to 6001 for information on any health including HIV/AIDS tests.
"For example, you can type HIV TEST and send to 6001 for information on HIV/AIDS related issues.
"To find the nearest clinic, you type clinic and your location and you will get all the vital health information," the MTN Uganda chairman disclosed during the launch at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel on Tuesday.
The service will be offered freely for a limited period of time, Mbire disclosed. "If you are selling, hiring, renting something or you want to buy a product or service, you send the message to 6007," Mbire added.
"If you need quick advise on farming issues you send your question to 6001.
"For example, if you want information on the coffee wilt diseases, type Coffee Wilt and send to 6001."
"Uganda is hungry for products that empower individuals and in doing so, giving the economy a boost," said Themba Khumalo, the MTN new chief executive officer.
He said the applications will include weather forecasts, health tips including information on sexual and reproductive health with a clinic directory that helps people to locate nearby clinics.
"Using the Google trader application, local buyers and sellers such as smallholder farmers are able to broaden their trading networks and reduce transaction costs," Khumalo said.
He explained that the short message service (SMS)-based application is designed to work with basic mobile phone handsets to reach the broadest possible audience.
"Users can access the services quickly and privately at the time of their choice and search for the relevant content on demand," Khumalo said.
The daily weather updates will be provided by the Meteorology Department, while the Busoga Rural Open Source Development Initiative, will offer the agricultural information.
Marie Stopes, the Straight Talk Foundation and the Grameen Foundation Application Laboratory, will handle the sexual and reproductive health tips, top officials announced during the launching ceremony.
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