How does it work?
"SMS for Life" will automatically send text messages to all health facilities on a weekly basis asking for their current stock of ACTs and RDTs. The responses will be collected and stored centrally on a website and will generate the following types of reporting:
- using mapping technology, a display of the stock situation by health facility at country and district levels
- using SMS technology, alerts sent to the district or central stores will provide immediately information on stock-outs
- using WEB technology, query and reporting of stocks by health facility, district, region, zone and calculate average weekly usage by health facility etc.
- using statistical tools technology, early warning of malaria outbreaks, e.g. highlight when there is a sharp rise in weekly usage in a number of closely located health facilities.
Main users of the information generated through "SMS for Life"
- National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP),
- Central Medical Stores Department (MSD)
- Personnel at the Zonal Medical Stores
- Regional Medical Officers
- District Medical Officers (including District Pharmacists)
Pilot Start
The 'SMS for Life' Pilot was launched on 21 September in Tanzania. The project is piloted in the 3 districts of Lindi Rural, Ulanga and Kigoma, at a total of 155 public health facilities. The pilot will run for five months and terminate in February 2010.
