Text to Change: Simple in concept, powerful in result

Arjen Swank Sr. Program | Mobile: Mobile for vulnerable communities March 19th, Accra, Ghana Mobile Services that empower Vulnerable Communities TTC: Innovating for global health

SMS is the MOST intensively used data communication technology Global SMS traffic in 2016: 9.4 trillion messages SMS per second! African mobile subscribers: 53,1%, increase of 1 mln. per month Smartphone use: 5,1% 95% of SMS messages is read, 90% within 4 minutes Mobile World

Improve income of small scale farmers and producers Linking farmers to markets Strengthen post harvest handling Training of farmers on agricultural practices using linkages with ICT center(s) Tips, production techniques and agronomic information Awareness and reminder messages, f.e., weather forecasts or crop diseases Certification and traceability programs Farmer Insurance and increased productivity programs Mobile money transfer, credit and support systems Economic development: mAgriculture

mHealth mHealth: The application of mobile technology in healthcare in the broadest sense

Do you think a healthy looking person can have HIV? 1.Yes 2.No To reply send: QUIZ to 8181 Do you think a healthy looking person can have HIV? 1.Yes 2.No To reply send: QUIZ to 8181 Well done! Someone who looks healthy may be HIV positive and could infect others. To know your own and your partners’ status, you should test for HIV together It's time for your 3rd clinic visit, tomorrow at 9AM. If you have any questions about your pregnancy, your health care provider is the best person to ask. Please take your medicine now, swallow with water. mHealth for TTC? Simple solutions! mHealth for TTC? Simple solutions!

Healthy Pregnancy & Safe Motherhood Expectant women Supporters of expectant women Mothers of newborn babies (up to 16 weeks old) Supporters of mothers with newborn babies (up to 16 weeks old) People interested in safe and healthy pregnancy

Facts and figures Wazazi Nipendeni Project launched in December people have interacted in the first months recurrent users messages have been sent – planned traffic of +1mln. messages monthly

(re-) consider your resources Set realistic timelines – something always comes up Involve right mix of communication channels Combine broadcasting through traditional media (radio, newspaper, poster) and narrowcasting with new media (Mobile) Get your context right Needs and communications assessment Research the ‘Local factors’ The technology is the easy part, not a goal in itself Incentives work Lessons learnt:

Working with Mobile operators Working with partners – mobile skepticism Basic health systems are not functioning Sustainability / business model(s) Impact measurement Challenges:

1. Understand where and with who you work 2. Comprehensive program design takes time 3. Impact only comes with partnerships. Stick to your expertise and allow commercial partners/sponsors 4. Plan multiple moments for M&E. Be flexible and adjust where required 5. Keep it simple! Main recommendations Successful mobile projects in Africa now are: Accessible Relevant (Near) free

Thank you Ideas, suggestions, questions? Arjen Swank Sr. Program Manager Mobile: