UNICEF Using SMS Text Messages To Fight Polio In Zambia

UNICEF has partnered with African companies to send SMS text messages to millions of Zambian parents as part of a new initiative to prevent polio, Computerworld reports. Millions of cell phone subscribers will be sent messages about activities aimed at fighting the disease. The campaign is taking place in 28 Zambian districts that border Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (Malakata, 7/24).

Authorities Concerned About New TB Cases At Pakistani Relief Camps

Tuberculosis control authorities are concerned about 340 new cases of TB that have been detected among displaced people from the war-affected areas in Pakistan, Dawn.com reports. “Among the total cases detected, 944 were those who had already been infected before coming to the camps. An additional number of 340 patients became infected after their arrival at relief camps,” writes the Web site (7/25). 

New Vision Examines ARV Supply In Uganda

The New Vision examines recent reports out of Uganda that some HIV/AIDS clinics are either closing or scaling back the number of patients they see because of a lack of antiretrovirals (ARVs). The article features comments from various HIV/AIDS experts, including PEPFAR country coordinator Michael Strong, who said, “We expect that PEPFAR funding for Uganda will continue at its current level of around $280m annually through 2013. But this will still leave a gap between national treatment needs and the funds available. Uganda needs to identify other resources to fill this gap” (Basudde, 7/24).