The UN yesterday launched "Texting4Health," a 10-day pilot health initiative using mobile phones to spread important health information to MTN users in Jinja.

"One of the most important tools in preventing diseases is information," said Mr Paul Kagwa, a representative from the Ministry of Health at a press conference in Kampala yesterday. The initiative, which is being tried first in Uganda, is sponsored by the UN's Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Health. It is being spearheaded by Text to Change, a Dutch non-profit organisation.

United Nations Resident Coordinator Theophane Nikyeme, World Health Organization representation Joaquim Saweka, Paul Kagwa from the Ministry of Health, and Bas Hoefman from Text to Change health initiative update the press on the "Texting4Health" initiative. PHOTO BY ANNA BATCHELLER.

The initiative invites recipients to respond with the correct answer to a health-related question in order to be entered into a draw for airtime. The first question yesterday asked 10,000 MTN users in Jinja to answer the question, "Are children under five and pregnant women most susceptible to malaria?" Upon replying, recipients received a follow-up text with more information.

Mr Bas Hoefman, a representative of Text to Change, reported that 900 people responded to the text in the first two hours after it was sent. World Health Organisation Representative Joaquim Saweka noted that texting should be an effective way of reaching the nation. "This is a very important moment for us in Uganda," he said. If the programme is successful in Jinja, it will be expanded countrywide and eventually to Kenya and Tanzania, according to Text to Change.