Study Proves SMS Reminders Can Be Your Weapon to Beat Malaria

Malaria remains one of the widely spread diseases around the world especially in the tropical and subtropical regions. According to World Health Organization there were 207 million cases of malaria in 2012 and more than 473,000 people died of it the same year.

However, in a new study by researchers at Harvard School of Public Health and the non-profit organization Innovations for Poverty Action it was proved that simple text messages reminders can help patients to get rid of malaria. These simple text messages reminders to take medication on time and to stick to their medication regime does allow the patients to survive.

The study claims that when patients don’t complete their full medication regime diseases can develop resistance to treatment and spread to others. Although there are major international efforts going on around the world, but malaria still remains primary cause of death globally. The new study was published in PLOS ONE and it focused on how patients can keep track of their medications and ensure that they complete their full medication regime to get rid of malaria. According to Julia Raifman, a Ph. D. candidate in the Harvard School of Public Health, ACTs are quite effective and easily available, but patients need to adhere to their medication regime in order to beat the disease.