News

Cellphones a tool to beat HIV/Aids in Africa

8 March 2010

Cellphones may become a key weapon in the war against HIV and AIDS in Africa, allowing counsellors to reach greater numbers of people, says the chief of the United Nation’s AIDS agency.

Africa, which despite widespread poverty has a relatively large numbers of cellphone users, should take advantage of the digital revolution to reach out widely, he said.

A major mobile telephone operator in Nigeria already runs a toll-free call scheme that links callers to counsellors on HIV/AIDS concerns.

Read the full article on TimesLive.

According to SouthAfrica.info, South Africa has over 14 million mobile phone and almost five million fixed line subscribers, so it will be interesting to see whether a local pilot project may be introduced in the near future.