Africa Embraces Text Messaging Technology

Kenyan consumers can now use a pilot text messaging program to verify legitimate drugs and weed out fake drugs, as mobile phones become integrated into healthcare in Africa.

Kenyan consumers can now use a pilot text messaging program to verify legitimate drugs and weed out fake drugs, as mobile phones become integrated into healthcare in Africa.

In light of recent reports by the World Health Organization that counterfeit drugs are increasingly problematic, the Kenyan government has begun a text messaging trial that will allow consumers to determine the legitimacy of their medications, said Kenyan Minister for Medical Services Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o as reported by The Ghanaian Journal. Kenya is the third African country to adopt text messaging authentication, along with Ghana and Nigeria.

Speaking at the Mobile Health Africa Summit at the Labadi Hotel, Accra, Ghana, on December 2nd, speakers embraced new mobile telephone technology as a source of fake drug prevention in Africa. Franklin Cudjoe, of the World Economic Forum, said that with integration from pharmaceutical companies it will spread across Africa. Dr. Esther Ogara, Manager of Kenya’s e-Health policy, said that the adoption of the cellphone texting platform in Kenya would help nip the growing prevalence of fake drugs, reported the Journal.

In addition to promoting safe medicine, projected telecom bandwidth will allow mobile health platforms for multiple uses in African healthcare concerns. Remote data collection, diagnosis, and health communications are expected uses according to the Ghanaian Minister of Communications, Haruna Iddrisu. In addition, the distribution of $250 million in antimalarials by The Global Fund will be dependent upon mobile networks to monitor equitable distribution and prevent fraud, said Dr. Lloyd Matowe. Thirdly, mobile phones are being used to track millions of bed nets distributed under the program in Nigeria and that more than 60,000 text messages have been sent by recipients, said Dr. Emanuel Obi of the Malaria Control Program in Nigeria, reported the Journal.

Dr. Egbe Osifo-Dawodu, founding partner of Anadach Group, said the conference would show the world that Africa is at the cutting edge of mobile health initiatives.