Vodacom has launched Mum and Baby program in South Africa. The program launched through the telco’s Siyakha Platform is a mobile-based maternal information sharing platform that gives helpful insights to expectant mothers and mothers nursing toddler up to the age of five.
Mum and Baby provides free health information and videos on multiple stages of pregnancy and early childhood development; for children of up to 5 years old. Mothers will get the information through SMS and video tutorials covering a range of health issues such as:
Ø Sexual and reproductive health
Ø Pregnancy information
Ø Breastfeeding
Ø Immunization
Ø Mother-child bonding
Ø Early childhood development
Ø Nutrition
Ø HIV/AIDS
The Chief Officer, Consumer Business Unit at Vodacom, Nyimpini Mabunda reiterated the critical role mobile phones are playing in South Africa. The general public can consume information faster, cheaper, and more conveniently on their phones. Mobile phones are also proving to be a better alternative for the dissemination of information to the general public, and their increased use across South Africa only makes mass education all the more effective and practical.
“Over the years, we have been able to optimize mobile communication technologies by developing mobile solutions that address socio-economic challenges. The introduction of Mum and Baby allows us to offer yet another value-based product for our customers in a language of their choice.
While the solutions is targeted at expectant mothers who don’t always have access to healthcare facilities nearby, it can also be used by family caregivers; empowering them with information and tools that they can use in their day to day environment.”
South Africans on the Vodacom network can access Mum and Baby services by dialing *111*88# on their prepaid mobile phones.
