Today is World AIDS Day. This day is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV. Organizations around the world are joining together to promote awareness and education of HIV/AIDS through a variety of events.
This year’s AIDS day comes amidst positive reports that new HIV infections have been reduced by 17% over the past eight years globally and that since 2001, when the United Nations Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS was signed, the number of new infections in sub-Saharan Africa is approximately 15% lower, which is about 400,000 fewer infections in 2008. As we commemorate the World AIDS Day, these strides should motivate us to do even more against this pandemic. Mobile phones are emerging as one of the most effective tools in this fight.
According to International Telecommunication Union (ITU) data, in 2007, there were more than 45 mobile phone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants in Africa, while at the same time, there were 16 fixed telephone lines per 100 inhabitants. Many people are using mobile devices for various needs, whether it’s children or adults, rural or urban population, mobile or sex workers. The mobile phone provides a significant opportunity to reach people who until now have not had access to technology solutions.
As part of its social corporate responsibility, ZMQ, an Indian Technology for Development company, initiated the Freedom HIV/AIDS project, currently one of the largest social initiatives to combat HIV/AIDS using technology. As experts in mobile game development, ZMQ developed an innovative IEC methodology to educate people on HIV/AIDS using mobile phone games. The Play-and-Learn method employed in these games makes them one of the most effective ways of spreading messages and creating awareness. Learning becomes, not only exciting and engaging, but also helps in better enhancement and retention of knowledge.
Freedom HIV/AIDS comprises of four mobile games (Safety Cricket, Ribbon Chase, The Messenger, Quiz with Babu) targeting different kinds of mobile users in India. The games are deployed on low-end black/white to sophisticated high-end colored devices. The project has been developed for different mobile technology platforms like Java/J2ME, C++/Brew, C++/Symbian and Macromedia Flashlite to cater to over 100 devices and handsets covering over majority of devices.
On World AIDS day – 1st December 2006, Freedom HIV/AIDS added a new chapter – ‘Africa Reach Program’ with Hivos, a leading Dutch development organization, and KPN, the largest Dutch telecom company, under the “Star Programme”. The six countries covered under the Star programme in Africa are Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya in Eastern Africa, and Malawi, Mozambique and Namibia in Southern Africa, the regions of high HIV/AIDS prevalence.
ZMQ has so far developed 2 mobile games for Africa: AIDS Fighter Pilot and AIDS Penalty Shoot Out. As of now, apart from English, these games have been developed in two other local languages – Kiswahili and Shen. I hope that ZMQ will engage more local developers to translate these games into more local languages and to develop more games for Africa.
If I had some free time, I would have volunteered to translate these games into Chichewa and Tumbuka for Malawi.But I do not have the time as of now. Those of you who want to volunteer as translators or developers can contact Mr. Hilmi Quraishi, the Project Director - Freedom HIV/AIDS. Those interested in partnership and those who want to donate to this cause can also contact Mr Quraishi.
Related posts:
- Buy the World AIDS Day Calendar to support the Malawi AIDS Assistance Project
- Mobile Money service thrives in East Africa.When will it come to Malawi?
- Mobile Healthcare for Africa:Microsoft’s Request for Proposals 2009
- Two PC-to-phone VoIP services that are cheaper than Skype
- Vopium, a mobile VoIP Startup from Copenhagen
- SEACOM undersea cable is 54 days from completion but Malawi will not be connected as soon as possible
14 users commented in " Fighting HIV/AIDS by using mobile phone games "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackThis is great news and an amazing development. Technology can be used for such important matters and I am elated at this information. I wish that I could help, but obviously I cannot volunteer to translate.
Nicole Price´s last blog ..The Christmas Coupons Site
[Reply]
John says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:55 am
There are always way you can help. Donate some time or money and you will contribute a lot.
[Reply]
Clement says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:22 pm
True that, John.Folks who want to help in other ways can also contact Hilmi Quraishi.
Clement´s last blog ..Fighting HIV/AIDS by using mobile phone games
[Reply]
The technology we have today is amazing. I wish we would start using more of our modern technology to help stop starvation and disease.
[Reply]
I think that every way of fighting this horrible disease is a good idea. HIV is more dangerous than we think – it is maybe not so big problem in western civilization countries but in Africa and in Eastern Europe this is a huge threat to development. Many people die every years and many more are being infected.
[Reply]
Paul says:
December 11th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
HIV is still a big problem everywhere. Even in the 1st world countries. We have to take action everywhere.
Paul´s last blog ..Top 10 October Commentators
[Reply]
Nice to read the stats you provided in regards to New Infections. I know the article is more focused on the use of technology in the fight against aids, but whatever organizations and groups that are working to help educate people to reduce the number of infections, should take some credit.
Must be never ending, hard work.
Regards
Chris
[Reply]
This looks like a very innovative idea.. Atleast this will help people realize how HIV cases can be reduced. As mobiles are penetrating deep into people’s lives.. Mobile games will definitely help fight against HIV/AIDS…
Samrat P´s last blog ..Free Genuine License/Serial Number for East-Tec Eraser 2009
[Reply]
What a great project! I hope it succeeds!
Joey Logano Fan´s last blog ..Joey Logano On NASCAR Race Hub
[Reply]
I think this is an awesome way to fight these diseases. Hopefully it will spark more ways to fight the disease and raise funding and awareness.
Curt N´s last blog ..How To Pick A Good Domain Name | The Best Place That Offers Domain Registration
[Reply]
wow. This is great. Mobile gaming is one of the major breakthrough in entertainment’s history. With this, it is good to know that mobile gaming is not only for entertainment but also for a good cause.
willbill´s last blog ..Know more about gadgets
[Reply]
Superb idea, and what a great use of the gaming platform. I wish there were more initiatives like this around thesedays, especially with the huge amount of money being spent on video games for mobile devices these days.
Ed
Ed´s last blog ..Michael Earle Architect – the wall of shame
[Reply]
To some of the above posters, yes HIV is still a big problem, even in 1st world countries. However, the fact that the rate of people being infected is going down is very positive sign at the work that has been done worldwide. If we keep it up, we can eliminate AIDS.
Jacob´s last blog ..Razer Lycosa Gaming Keyboard – Review and Specs
[Reply]
We are now in 2010 and HIV is still a serious disease which kills a lot of people. We have the technology but we don’t use it the right way. Why big flat screen ? why launch spaceship ? Well… So I DO think it’s a great idea to use these new technologies (games, phones…) to fight HIV!
[Reply]
I would really appreciate if you could use your name when commenting.Using just keywords makes your comment seem spammy, and it's liable to get deleted.Please read my comment policy for more details.Many thanks for your cooperation!
Got an opinion? Leave a civil reply.