SMS campaign to ring changes in spreading the message about HIV
Resource type: News
Cape Times (South Africa) |
by JESSICA BELL
TEXT messages are set to become the latest weapon in the fight against HIV in South Africa, with the launch of Project Masiluleke.
The project is to use the space at the end of “Please Call Me”(PCM) text messages to encourage people to be tested for HIV and seek counselling and treatment.
One million HIV awareness text messages are to be sent every day for 12 months from December 1.
The messages, contributed by MTN, are a free form of text messaging that enables prepaid customers to send someone an SMS with the words “Please call me” and their number. There is space at the bottom of these messages for 120 more characters, and this will now be used for HIV awareness messages and the national Aids helpline number 080 001 2322.
Project Masiluleke, which means “hope” and “warm counsel” in Zulu, was launched on Friday at the annual Pop!Tech conference in Maine, United States.
It has been developed and funded by HIV charities and technology and design firms, including Nokia Siemens, MTN, Frog Design, Cell Life, the Praekelt Foundation, iTeach and National Geographic. Pop!Tech works with entrepreneurs to create “breakthrough initiatives”.