CATEGORY: SMS

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SMS Based Medic Mobile Helps Bridge Healthcare Communication Gap

Posted by: admin on Fri, 2011-12-02 17:24

Josh Nesbit was doing HIV research at a clinic in Malawi in 2007 when he realized that new mobile infrastructure available there could be harnessed to bridge gaps and coordinate health care services. And so, Medic Mobile was launched in 2009- it develops technologies such as easy-to-use medical record systems and SIM card applications to help health workers communicate and coordinate patient care, and provide diagnostics using low-cost mobile technology. AudienceScapes Fellow Paromita Pain talks to Nesbit about how better information and communication access can help us live healthier and longer lives.

Josh Nesbit was doing HIV research at a clinic in Malawi in 2007 when he realized that new mobile infrastructure available there could be harnessed to bridge gaps and coordinate health care services. And so, Medic Mobile was launched in 2009- it develops technologies such as easy-to-use medical record systems and SIM card applications to help health workers communicate and coordinate patient care, and provide diagnostics using low-cost mobile technology. AudienceScapes Fellow Paromita Pain talks to Nesbit about how better information and communication access can help us live healthier and longer lives. 

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Company Launches Free SMS Service in Zimbabwe

Posted by: admin on Thu, 2011-06-30 10:26

As mobile operators build infrastructure and upgrade services, a newcomer launches a free SMS service. If subscribers are willing to put up with ads at the end of their messages, that is. As texting has gotten more expensive in the country, this new product could fill a need. Tawanda Karombo reports.

As mobile operators build infrastructure and upgrade services, a newcomer launches a free SMS service. If subscribers are willing to put up with ads at the end of their messages, that is. As texting has gotten more expensive in the country, this new product could fill a need. Tawanda Karombo reports.

By Tawanda Karombo

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Which Came First: the ICT or Collective Action?

Posted by: admin on Wed, 2011-02-23 18:40

Before we label the people’s movements fueled by the quick availability of information as the next “Facebook Revolution” or “Internet Revolution”, maybe we can pause and examine the human motivations behind these socially motivated technological innovations. Gayatri Murthy reports from a recent event discussing Africa's new successful infosystems......

Before we label the people’s movements fueled by the quick availability of information as the next “Facebook Revolution” or “Internet Revolution”, maybe we can pause and examine the human motivations behind these socially motivated technological innovations. Gayatri Murthy reports from a recent event discussing Africa's new successful infosystems......

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Radio Promotes Dialogue and Accountability

Posted by: admin on Wed, 2011-01-12 17:45

A project uses radio to make the lofty goals of the International Criminal Court understandable and relevant to the people whom they affect. Operating in Congo and the Central African Republic, the project is a conduit for residents of post-conflict zones to raise concerns and questions and get answers of authorities.

By Paromita Pain

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Using SMS To Fight Disease in Africa

Posted by: admin on Wed, 2011-01-12 16:35

As healthcare projects deploying text messaging multiply in Africa, researchers are beginning to evaluate their effectiveness. Dinfin Mulupi reports on some of the emerging results.

As healthcare projects deploying text messaging multiply in Africa, researchers are beginning to evaluate their effectiveness. Dinfin Mulupi reports on some of the emerging results.

By Dinfin Mulupi

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Kenya’s Popular TV Drama Engages Viewers

Posted by: admin on Wed, 2010-12-01 16:38

A highly rated Kenyan soap opera connects with its audience through text messaging and the Internet. While addressing serious topics in each week’s episode, Makutano Junction also has plenty of romance, humor and intrigue. Off the air, the show offers viewers resources and information.By Dinfin Mulupi “I have just watched Makutano Junction, and I have a problem and want to take it to children’s court. It concerns my kid who has been neglected by her dad. Please can you advise?” This is one of the SMS text messages received by the producers of a Kenyan soap opera after an episode aired that dealt with child abuse.  Unlike conventional soap operas, the aim of Makutano Junction is not to titillate but to educate.

A highly rated Kenyan soap opera connects with its audience through text messaging and the Internet. While addressing serious topics in each week’s episode, Makutano Junction also has plenty of romance, humor and intrigue. Off the air, the show offers viewers resources and information.

By Dinfin Mulupi

“I have just watched Makutano Junction, and I have a problem and want to take it to children’s court. It concerns my kid who has been neglected by her dad. Please can you advise?” This is one of the SMS text messages received by the producers of a Kenyan soap opera after an episode aired that dealt with child abuse. 

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SMS Eliminates a Deadly Delay in HIV Testing

Posted by: admin on Mon, 2010-11-01 14:30

Zambia is hoping to slash its infant mortality rate by helping HIV-positive children get treatment fast. Thanks to SMS-text messaging, parents will know the HIV status of their children sooner and can begin life-saving treatment.By Newton Sibanda LUSAKA, Zambia- It can take as long as 10 weeks to process an HIV test at rural health centers here. While the blood samples are sent back and forth to a central hospital for analysis, the clock is ticking for HIV-positive infants. The sooner they are started on anti-retroviral therapy the better their chances of survival. The ministry of health is now piloting a program in which SMS-text messages will be used to return pediatric HIV results within five days of testing.

Zambia is hoping to slash its infant mortality rate by helping HIV-positive children get treatment fast. Thanks to SMS-text messaging, parents will know the HIV status of their children sooner and can begin life-saving treatment.

By Newton Sibanda

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Citizen Journalism Only a Phone Call Away

Posted by: admin on Fri, 2010-09-03 11:31

A news service in central India uses mobile phones to overcome barriers like illiteracy and lack of internet access. Reporters file their stories and users listen to them on the phone. CGNet Swara trains people from the tribal populations to become citizen journalists and create a credible and accessible news service.By Paromita PainThe mobile phone revolution in India is actively changing the way people are participating in news production. A new digital news service launched in February of this year employs mobile phones to both receive and broadcast news stories. CGnet Swara, as the project is called, serves residents of Chhattisgarh, a heavily forested state in central India whose tribal populations live primarily off the land.

A news service in central India uses mobile phones to overcome barriers like illiteracy and lack of internet access. Reporters file their stories and users listen to them on the phone. CGNet Swara trains people from the tribal populations to become citizen journalists and create a credible and accessible news service.

By Paromita Pain

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To Market, To Market By Mobile Phone

Posted by: admin on Fri, 2010-08-13 11:14

Zambia’s farmers are using mobile phones to change the way they do business.By NEWTON SIBANDALUSAKA, Zambia --Slightly more than a decade ago, mobile phones were a prestigious gadget and a preserve of the elite. But today, small scale farmers, petty traders and domestic servants alike can all enjoy the services of mobile phones -- thanks to reduced prices and an extensive roll-out by service providers.According to the 2009 statistics, Zambia has more than 4,000,000 subscribers shared by three mobile telephone service providers out of a population of about 11 million. A substantial percentage of Zambia’s agricultural workers have adopted the regular use of mobile phones and they are keeping pace with other rural groupings.

Zambia’s farmers are using mobile phones to change the way they do business.

By NEWTON SIBANDA

LUSAKA, Zambia --Slightly more than a decade ago, mobile phones were a prestigious gadget and a preserve of the elite. But today, small scale farmers, petty traders and domestic servants alike can all enjoy the services of mobile phones -- thanks to reduced prices and an extensive roll-out by service providers.

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SMS Project in Uganda Shows Malaria Knowledge Exists, Action Lacking

Posted by: admin on Wed, 2010-05-12 15:35

By Joseph Were 12 May 2010(Kampala, Uganda)--Text to Change, a Dutch non-governmental organization, chose World Malaria Day on 25 April to run a quiz via SMS in a rural fishing community in eastern Uganda to measure knowledge about the disease.The results showed that most people know how to prevent malaria--notably, 98 percent of the respondents seemed to be aware that insecticide-treated mosquito nets are the best way to prevent malaria.          Rural Ugandan Mobile Air Time KioskHowever, few people said they are following effective anti-malaria practices--for example, only 10 percent of respondents said they sleep under a treated net.“I believe it is not about the lack of knowledge but about behaviors.

By Joseph Were