SMS Printer to save 10,000 HIV positive new-borns

Two of the world’s most active organisations in the prevention of HIV have begun their crusade in Yaoundé against late diagnosis of HIV in infants using a system called SMS Printer.

The device is kind of mobile phone with a mini built-in printer, which will be installed by the Clinton Foundation in 682 collection centres spread across the country, including the most remote rural areas.

The MTN Foundation will provide its network, which covers 98 per cent of the national territory and its equipment.

This arsenal, we learn, will make possible the transmission and instant printing of the results of screening tests performed on new-borns which is usually only possible from only two specialized laboratories in the country.

In short, the SMS Printer will make available the results as soon as possible to allow the equally rapid management of new-borns tested positive for HIV.

Nowadays in Cameroon between the birth of a new-born and the provision of results of HIV testing performed based on his blood sample, it usually takes several months, as there is currently only the International Agency for Research Chantal, in Biya, Yaounde, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC ), in Mutengene, Southwest, which provides such services.

The MTN Foundation, who have dubbed the system a true revolution, said: “The blood samples must be transported from the collection site to the specialized laboratory which are often hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away with the difficulties inherent in transportation development in Cameroon.

“The result of the diagnosis also shows the reverse path from the laboratory to the sampling site with the same difficulties. Often the result reaches the health centre concerned three to six months after collection.

"In these circumstances, a child infected at birth or may have already lost sight or died without treatment because we do not know their status."

Together the two organisations hope to save around 10,000 lives in the three-year duration of their partnership.

According to the MTN Foundation, studies conducted in other countries such as Nigeria and Kenya show that the technology associated with SMS significantly reduces waiting time of early diagnosis and has results ready by the time the mother returns to the health centre.

Similar results were also achieved in Malawi, Uganda and Zambia.