South Africa has a population of 49 million people, who own 43 million mobile phone handsets, most of them pay as you go. Every year around 350,000 people die of Aids-related diseases in the country. Now a new venture, Project Masiluleka, is trying something new, sending a million free text messages a day to urge people to be tested and treated.
When a trial of the project was held, there was a 200% increase in calls to the National Aids helpline in Johannesburg.
According to the United Nations, around six million people are currently living with HIV in South Africa.
"You would think that in a country where it is so obvious that we are challenged by HIV that there would be enough knowledge to help people access care or change behavior," HIV activist Zinny Thabethe, who is working with Project Masiluleka, told the BBC.
"HIV testing is widely available …but only 5% have managed to test for HIV," she said. "Most people only get a test when they are about to die."
The project will go live December 1, utilizing the “Please Call Me” system so common across Africa. A typical message will read:
"Worried that you might have HIV and want to talk to a counsellor about getting tested? Call Aids helpline 0800012322," and will be sent both in English and local languages.
