As AIDS continues to magnify its victim count, South Africa has turned to an unusual resource for help. Texting could be the future of AIDS treatment. Those who believe they have symptoms and those who have been diagnosed can text their questions and concerns to doctors for advice.
National Geographic reports:
As South Africa reels from the HIV/AIDS epidemic, health workers are turning to cell phone technology to get the word out about testing for the virus. An ambitious text messaging campaign is expected to reach a million South Africans daily with information about HIV/AIDS counseling services and testing centers throughout the country.
The effort, called Project Masiluleke—which means "hope" and "warm counsel" in the South Africa's major language, Zulu—"is one of the largest ever uses of mobile phones for health info," according to Andrew Zolli, executive director of Pop!Tech, which helped coordinate and fund the project.
The initiative was announced this week at the annual Pop!Tech technology conference in Camden, Maine, and is expected to officially launch in South Africa next February.
This could revolutionize early treatment for the AIDS victim society. A simple quick text could prove life-saving, not only physically but mentally too. Many myths about treatment could quickly be put to rest by this new method, protecting many possible future patients. AIDS texting should be employed as soon as possible.
No comments:
Post a Comment