Mobile phone initiative to help HIV sufferers

A new initiative has been set up that intends to use mobile and computer technology to help people suffering from HIV in the developing world.

The Mobile Health Alliance has been set up by the Rockafeller, Vodafone and United Nations Foundations in order to improve the social and economic problems facing the world.

It believes that mobile phone technology could be vital to fighting some of the globe's most debilitating diseases, Voice of America reports.

Claire Thwaites, head of the United Nations and Vodafone Technology Partnership, said that a programme called Text for Change in Uganda has resulted in a 40 per cent increase in people taking HIV tests.

"You might be looking at text messaging to improve population awareness about malaria prevention or how to prevent HIV/AIDS, what precautionary measures need to be taken," she stated.

"Or you could use mobile to support public health data collection campaigns or immunisation campaigns."

The new scheme was announced as part of the World Mobile Congress, which 50,000 people are attending in Barcelona.

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