TxtAlert-PMTCT launches in KwaZulu-Natal

Praekelt Foundation’s TxtAlert appointment reminder system now being used to help pregnant mothers in KwaZulu-Natal during their pregnancy and until their babies are 18 months old.

Monday 24 October was a great day for the improvement of maternal health in South Africa, when a new project was launched in KwaZulu-Natal - the province where almost 40% of the population - and therefore 40% of pregnant mothers, are HIV positive.

Praekelt Foundation is part of a consortium partners, including the Provincial Department of Health in KZN, UNICEF South Africa, and Virtual Purple, who are pioneering the use of SMS reminders through the TxtAlert system, to support mothers.

Says Marcha Neethling, Head of Operations for Praekelt Foundation: “The aim for this leg of the program, is to reach six thousand women in two districts in the province, but we don’t see this as a pilot - both government and UNICEF are really keen to see this scaled up as soon as possible.”

In her launch address, Ms Precious Robinson, PMTCT (Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission) Manager for the National Department of Health told representatives and stakeholders that the fight against the thousands of unnecessary maternal deaths, and the unnecessary transmission of HIV from mothers to babies, begins with “I”.  She challenged all stakeholders - including Department of Health staff - to “shape up, or ship out”.

In the photo, from left to right, are the project partners:

Warren - Virtual Purple
Josephine - National Department of Health
Precious -  National Department of Health 
Sanjana - UNICEF South Africa
Otty - Provincial Department of Health (KZN)
Marcha - Praekelt Foundation