This is a huge step and it is great to hear about outreach programs such as this one which uses the knowledge of technological formats, something which is a primary source of information-ramification in the current world sphere. Creative and revitalising to hear.
I read today though, an article published on the BBC webpage about anti-retroviral drugs being distributed and "abused" by many in certain South African communities, they are misused in the sense that their main purpose is abandoned and are smoked as drugs. Some which are prescribed and given the drug are selling it as oppose to taking it. The HIV/Aids issue in South Africa is an extremely frustrating, devastating and foremost sad topic. It is much like fighting any other natural discourse, striking with such a powerful force and uncontrollably quick at spreading.
Distribution of drugs (such as anti-retroviral drugs, set to improve Hiv patients immune system) have been a well discussed issue, the problem of the drugs in question being too expensive for lower class families to purchase and in many cases, for some African governments to purchase and distribute, of course this is also a matter of prioritising as well. Now that networks have been set up in South Africa, in order to make it possible for an increasing number of the population to retrieve anti-retroviral drugs, it is agitating to read that medicine is being misused, medicine that could make a huge difference to many patients with Hiv, it is striking and worrying in my opinion. Not only that the children and adults using these anti-retroviral medications as drugs, smoking them, making cocktails etc, can obtain serious physical consequences side-effects by doing so, but the fact that this shows a sign of lack of seriousness towards the usage and need for these anti-retroviral drugs.
Of course aspects like this have been prevalent in Europe and the USA too, the usage of medication as drugs is a big issue, but it is not medicine which is life threatening for someone when, like in South Africa, distributing it one person, means that one person less gets it. A bit rather like a zero sum game. Anti-retroviral drugs in South Africa are scarce.
The issue of how to perceive Hiv/AIDS and the fact that it has long been judged as a taboo and shameful existence has been an important aspect in tackling the spread of Hiv(AIDS. The respect and seriousness that needs to be evoked on the topic, a battle in many countries of the world still, this of course does not help when health ministers suggests that beetroots is the most essential for fighting this "disease". Patients risk a lot by nit taking their prescribed medication. The aspect of poverty is a striking problem in the fight against Hiv, an issue which of course is the primary reason for the misuse of anti-retroviral drugs as such. The hallucinating effects which these drugs have on people who smoke them, was quoted in the article: “ "When I asked them why they like doing it, they said it helps them relax and forget about their problems," said Ms Nhlapo”(documentary maker at the South African Broadcasting Corporation). It is a striking comment and of course not surprising affect of smoking drugs, but the paradox of drugs served to solve problems for some, is here used to forget problems of others. South Africa is a land of great prosperity but also of great poverty, the selling of prescribed drugs (instead of taking them) might say something about the problematic attitude towards Hiv/Aids or is it just a matter of desperations that comes with poverty, in a family where, with a choice between medication for one or food for five, one will choose the latter?!

Congrats to South Africa for doing something about this world-wide epidemic. If methods of promotion to get screened ever stop, then we are all in trouble.

I got to spend six months in South Africa last year. Although this text message awareness program is a great idea it seemed to me that the public in general was already well educated on the prevalence and effects of AIDs. In malls there were kiosk tents where anyone could walk up after shopping for shoes and get tested for HIV. Everyone I spoke to was extremely cautious in practising safe sex. But all this caution and awareness did little when it came to dealing with the rape and violence epidemic. Johannesburg is considered the rape capital of the world. Some studies show that as many as one in three South African women have been raped. It is one thing to know you are at risk when practising consensual sex and to prepare accordingly, it is another to be ambushed and given the disease without any chance of protection. So yes this program does help people "take control of their health" and that is great, but their are deeper societal ills that need to be addressed at the same time. South Africa still has a life expectancy below 50.