Viral Load Results Return (VLRR)

Funder: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Partners: Ministry of Health, Malawi., Compelling Works, Luke International

Country: Malawi

Project start date: 2020

In Malawi, our collaboration with the Ministry of Health extends and Cooper/Smith to a pilot initiative aimed at designing a software platform. This platform is intended to furnish individuals living with HIV (PLHIV) with their viral load test outcomes through SMS. By empowering PLHIV with this vital information, we strive to enhance their involvement in personal healthcare and promote sustained viral suppression. Leveraging the existing national health data framework, we closely coordinate with the Ministry of Health's Digital Health Division. Pioneering the realm of direct-to-patient communications in Malawi, our aspiration is for this innovative platform to eventually encompass other Ministry of Health programs. Such expansion could reinforce communication channels and bolster the continuum of care within the healthcare system.

We are working together to speed up HIV viral load result processing by testing a new digital platform that uses SMS and USSD technology.

The platform sends results to patients' phones and health workers at HIV service facilities. Works on basic phones or smartphones.

Resources: SMS-VLRR Project Page